Colin contacted the U.S. Coast Guard and requested the phone numbers for the stations responsible for search and rescue on Long Island and Connecticut waters. It might be a good idea to place the ones for the area you paddle in your cell phones contact file. Below is their response to his request.

Mr. Mullen,

Thank you for your inquiry.

Below are a list of our stations and their contact numbers:
New London (860) 442-4471
New Haven (203) 988-4323
Kings Point (516) 466-7135
Eaton’s Neck (631) 261-6959
Jones Beach (516) 785-2995
Fire Island (631) 661-9101
Shinnecock (631) 728-0343
Montauk (631) 668-2773

Please advise your club members that cell phone service is very unreliable on the water.  A VHF radio is an essential piece of paddler emergency equipment that could save one’s life.

Best Regards,
Petty Officer Erik Swanson, PA2
U.S. Coast Guard/DHS
Public Affairs Detachment New York
1 South St. New York, NY 10004