CAPE MAY, N.J. ― The Coast Guard rescued two people from the water about 100 yards from the beach here Tuesday at about 7:30 p.m.
A mariner aboard a 21-foot pleasure craft notified watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay, in Philadelphia, via VHF-FM radio channel 16 at about 6:45 p.m. Tuesday reporting he became separated from two passengers, an 18-year-old male and a 19-year-old female, who were swimming about 300 yards from the Cape May ferry terminal.
A Coast Guard Station Cape May crew aboard their 45-foot Response Boat – Medium, which replaces the aging 41-foot and other non-standard utility boats to standardize and revitalize the Coast Guard’s shore-based boat fleet, and the New Jersey State Police responded to the distress.
The Coast Guard crew located the two people waving their arms about 100 yards from shore, north of the jetties, and pulled them from the water.
“These two people are lucky to have been found safely,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Steven Buckner, a crewmember from Station Cape May. “Even for a strong swimmer, things like fatigue, a cramp and rip currents can be very dangerous and sometimes deadly. We recommend never swimming in the ocean without a life jacket or too far from shore without a safe place to rest if needed.”
