NJSP Sergeant Michael Krauchuk (Photo: NJSP)
A group of eight people were rescued June 14 after the boat in which they were riding began taking on water and started to sink in the notoriously-rough Point Pleasant Canal.
A call for help was made at 5:08 p.m. Sunday after the 26-foot vessel began taking on water. Based on the preliminary investigation, the boat began to take on water while traveling through the canal, state police said.
A good Samaritan who was nearby helped transfer five occupants from the boat to land, while the operator and two other occupants stayed on board in an attempt to get the boat to a nearby dock. But due to the rough conditions, they were unable to prevent the boat from taking on more water.
Within minutes of the initial call, Sgt. Michael Krauchuk of NJSP’s Marine Services Division – which operates a barracks on the canal – responded to the scene and secured the sinking boat to his State Police vessel. While attempting to pull the boat to the nearby dock, Krauchuk realized that they would not make it because the boat was taking on water too rapidly, a statement from police said. As a result, Krauchuck helped pull the three occupants onto his vessel and cut the lines before the boat sank.
All of the occupants were transported back to NJSP’s Point Pleasant Station for a medical evaluation by EMS. There were no reported injuries.
“Sgt. Krauchuk’s quick and decisive actions may have helped prevent a tragedy,” police said in the statement.
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