BARNEGAT LIGHT, N.J. – The Coast Guard rescued one person and is searching for two people 25 miles east of Barnegat Light after the 38-foot fishing boat they were aboard sank Wednesday.
Rescued was Robert Mark Cooper from Point Pleasant, N.J.
Missing are William Brown Jr. and Joseph Bell of Newport News, Va.
Coast Guard 5th District watchstanders received an Electronic Position Indicating Radio Beacon alert at approximately 7 p.m. registered to the fishing boat Alisha Marie, homeported in Point Pleasant, N.J. The watchstanders contacted the owner and confirmed the fishing boat was underway and found they had survival suits, flares and a life raft aboard.
An Air Station Atlantic City MH-65C Dolphin rescue helicopter crew arrived on scene and located Cooper in a life raft who reported the boat sank and he was the only one to get into the life raft.
The helicopter crew transported Cooper to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City where he was transferred to awaiting medical personnel.
An Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., HC-130J Hercules air crew, a Station Barnegat Light rescue boat crew, a Station Manesquan Inlet, N.J., rescue boat crew and the Coast Guard Cutter Ibis crew are assisting in the search.
This is the second fishing vessel sinking in the area within six weeks.
