Waretown Sea Tow Captains Honored After Overnight Barnegat Bay Rescue

WARETOWN, NJ — Two Sea Tow Central New Jersey captains from Waretown have been recognized for their role in a nighttime rescue in Barnegat Bay.

Sea Tow Services International, Inc. presented Captains Walt Bohn and Dan Siegel with its “Efforts Above and Beyond,” award at the company’s 2025 annual meeting in Hilton Head, South Carolina, according to a news release.

The same rescue also brought a congressional proclamation from U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, who represents New Jersey’s 2nd Congressional District. Sea Tow Central New Jersey serves Barnegat Bay, including the Barnegat Inlet and Atlantic Ocean.

The honors stem from a search-and-rescue operation involving clammer John Mazzi. Mazzi, 72, filed a float plan with his wife before going out on the water. When he did not return, his wife alerted the Coast Guard, which began a multi-agency search.

Working with the U.S. Coast Guard, Bohn and Siegel located Mazzi at about 2 a.m., 200 yards from his vessel, according to the release. He had been stranded on a sandbar in shallow water in freezing temperatures during what became a 12-hour fight for survival.

After he was brought aboard the Sea Tow boat, the United States Coast Guard lowered a rescue swimmer and rescue basket and placed him in the basket, according to the release. Mazzi was then airlifted to an awaiting ambulance and taken to a local hospital for treatment.

Van Drew’s proclamation recognized the captains for what the press release described as “their courageous act of heroism and dedicated assistance in saving lives in Ocean County.”

The proclamation also stated that the captains “brought honor and pride to the community and to the citizens of this state, New Jersey, and the United States of America.”

“Captain Dan Siegal and Captain Walter Bohn represent the very best of New Jersey,” said Van Drew. “When others are heading in because the weather turns or the situation gets tough, these men head out to help. It was my honor to present them with a Congressional proclamation recognizing their dedication and service. New Jersey is lucky to have them.”

“We’re proud to recognize Captains Bohn and Siegel for their life saving efforts,” said Sea Tow President Kristen Frohnhoefer. “These Captains are a testament to what it means to go above and beyond for the boating community.”

“It is a great honor to receive these awards,” said Bohn, general manager of Sea Tow Central New Jersey. “We are proud to serve the Central New Jersey region and take great pride in helping keep boaters safe.”