Seaside Park Rescuers Assist Vessel in Peril at Barnegat Inlet

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by TowBoatUS Barnegat Light (@towboatus_barnegatlight)

Members of the Seaside Park Volunteer Fire Department were among the agencies that participated in a rescue of a vessel imperiled near Barnegat Inlet earlier this week.

The U.S. Coast Guard said its watchstanders in Philadelphia, which has jurisdiction over Ocean County waters, received an initial alert over marine radio channel 16 and attempted to make callouts, but were unsuccessful. As units prepared to respond, the Coast Guard received a report from the New Jersey State Police that a 38-foot vessel ran aground on the north jetty of Barnegat Inlet.

Coast Guard Station Barnegat Light launched a 45-foot response boat medium and a 27-foot utility boat to respond. Seaside Park Fire responded shoreside with a shallow watercraft to confirm the vessel ran aground on a sand bed, and that there were no signs of pollution.

---

Get Daily Island News Updates Your email address:* Please enter all required fields Correct invalid entries

Once on scene, the crew of the 27-foot USCG utility boat brought the two mariners aboard and transported them back to Station Barnegat Light where EMS awaited. Station Barnegat Light confirmed that the operator of the vessel made the previous call over VHF-FM channel 16. The mariners were in stable condition and were released.

U.S. Coast Guard Station Barnegat Light, N.J. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

The vessel was removed Tuesday morning by a commercial provider and taken to a local marina for repair.

“With better weather approaching, we anticipate more vessels to be out, so we’re encouraging all mariners to be properly prepared,” said Operations Specialist Timothy Weitzel, operations unit watchstander at Sector Delaware Bay. “Inspecting gear, checking the weather before your trip, and planning accordingly are key components to ensuring you and your passengers all have a safe and fun voyage.”

Giving a friend or family member a “float plan” that includes one’s itinerary, vessel description, contact information, and who is traveling with you, is another tool to ensure you’re accounted for, Weitzel said.