Coast Guard Rescues 2 From Boat Fire Off Barnegat Inlet

OCEAN COUNTY, NJ — The U.S. Coast Guard rescued two fishermen from a boat fire Thursday about 34 miles east of Barnegat Inlet. Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay received a mayday call after the engines on their 53-foot boat became engulfed in flames.

The fishermen donned life jackets and deployed their raft. The Coast Guard launched a helicopter crew and two life boats.

Once on scene, the MH-65 Dolphin aircrew spotted the raft and hoisted both fishermen to safety. The Coast Guard took them to the Monmouth Executive Airport in Wall, where family met the fishermen.

No injuries were reported. The Coast Guard warned boaters in the area of potential debris from the fire.

"Today's case was a perfect example of a unified effort between prepared boaters, the sector, small boats and the air station," said Lt. j.g. Matt Devlin, a Dolphin helicopter pilot at Air Station Atlantic City. "We are happy that the mariners realized they were in distress and we were able to be there quickly. Ultimately their preparedness led to our success."

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