2 Rescued By Coast Guard After Sailboat Grounded, Overturned

LITTLE EGG HARBOR, NJ — Two people were rescued Friday night after their 33-foot sailboat grounded and overturned near Little Egg Inlet, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a release.

The boat, Free Bird, was heading south towards Atlantic City when it grounded in shoals and began to heel over at about 8 p.m., the Coast Guard said. A person aboard the boat used a VHF-FM marine radio to hail Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay watchstanders.

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, along with rescue boat crews from Coast Guard Stations Atlantic City and Barnegat Light arrived on the scene, the Coast Guard said. Responders found Free Bird hard aground and on its side in breaking surf with both people aboard, the Coast Guard said.

The aircrew hoisted the people because of the shallow waters surrounding the sailboat, the Coast Guard said.

“With high winds, driving rain and thunderstorms in the area, our aircrew worked to quickly lower the rescue swimmer to help the couple,” said Lt. Humberto Hernandez, a pilot who flew on the rescue. “Our swimmer was able to walk in the shallow breaking surf to the Free Bird and assist the people away from the vessel to facilitate a safer hosting situation, away from the overturned vessel's mast.”

The two were taken to awaiting emergency medical personnel, the Coast Guard said. The Coast Guard reported that both are in good condition and will coordinate salvage plans for Free Bird.

The Coast Guard reminds all mariners that having reliable communication aboard your vessel can be the difference between life and death in an emergency. A VHF-FM marine radio is the best way to alert the Coast Guard to an emergency, especially on the water, where cell phone connectivity and weather are often unpredictable.

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