POINT PLEASANT BEACH, N.J. — The Coast Guard, along with the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the New Jersey State Police Marine Division, rescued six boaters Sunday after their 25-foot pleasure craft started to sink one mile offshore from Sea Grit, New Jersey.
A person aboard the sinking boat contacted watchstanders at Coast Guard Station Manasquan Inlet using a VHF marine radio at about 9:15 a.m. and reported water was quickly filling their boat. The person also reported they fired a distress flare to help responders locate their position.
A 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew from Coast Guard Station Manasquan Inlet, N.J. tows a 25-foot pleasure craft Sunday, Aug. 31, 2014. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
A 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew and a 25-foot Response Boat – Small crew from Coast Guard Station Manasquan Inlet responded to the distress. Additionally, a marine unit from the New Jersey State Police and a Coast Guard Auxiliary boat crew also deployed to help rescue the people.
Once on scene, responders witnessed six people standing in about two feet of water in the sinking boat. Members of the New Jersey State Police Unit rescued five of the people and the Coast Guard Auxiliary boat crew rescued one person from the boat. The five survivors aboard the state police boat were later transferred to the Coast Guard Auxiliary boat, and all of the survivors were taken to Deep Creek Marina in Brielle, New Jersey.
The Coast Guard boat crews dewatered the boat and the MLB crew towed the boat to Deep Creek Marina.
“The flare they fired and the information the people provided over the radio greatly increased the response time, ultimately resulting in the rescue of six lives and saving the vessel,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Matt Morin, the officer of the day at Coast Guard Station Manasquan Inlet. “The Coast Guard urges mariners to have their vessels inspected to ensure the proper safety equipment is on board. In a time of distress, having a marine radio, flares and lifejackets greatly increases your chance of being rescued, as it did in this case.”
“It was through the collaborative efforts of the Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary and the New Jersey State Police Marine division, all six people aboard the sinking boat were rescued without injury,” said Morin.
