Lifeguards In Deal, Near Asbury Park, Make Big Rescue

Two lifeguards in Deal helped save four lives over the weekend, police said.

The incident happened at 2:45 p.m. on Sunday, when a boat capsized and three occupants went into the water near the Deal Casino Beach Club, police said.

Lifeguards Bailey Crochet and Jake Shirley rowed out in the lifeguard boat to attempt to rescue the occupants, police said. Officers on scene contacted the U.S. Coast Guard and they were dispatched to the scene.

Shirley and Crochet were able to reach all three occupants of the capsized vessel within a few minutes while fighting a 25-30 mph southeast wind, police said.

They began to guide the disabled vessel to shore with all three occupants safely on board when a second Hobie Cat arrived on scene, police said. One of the occupants of the second Hobie Cat then entered the water in an attempt to assist and subsequently became the fourth victim, police said.

Crochet and Shirley were able to then assist the fourth victim and bring all four to shore without incident. It was determined the first Hobie Cat’s mast snapped at the base which caused the vessel to be disabled.

Deal police photo