4 People, Dog Rescued From Sinking Boat Near Forked River: Coast Guard

LACEY, NJ — Four people and a dog were rescued from a sinking boat in the Barnegat Bay near the Forked River on Sunday, the U.S. Coast Guard said.

The 30-foot recreational boat was discovered by a Coast Guard Station Barnegat Light rescue boat that was already underway for operations, authorities said.

The Coast Guard crew transferred the four people and their dog aboard the 29-foot response boat, the Coast Guard said.

Just moments after the rescue was complete, the recreational boat capsized, the Coast Guard said.

“The boat’s owner believes the boat was taking on water due to a loose plug, but the compartment was not accessible to confirm,” said Chief Warrant Officer James B. Corbisiero, Coast Guard Station Barnegat Light’s commanding officer. “The timing of this rescue was fortunate; I commend the Coast Guard boat crew’s attentiveness and fast actions to aide these people and their dog.”

The rescued people and the dog were taken to a marina in Lanoka Harbor, the Coast Guard said. There were no reported injuries.

A commercial salvage company righted the boat and towed it into the same marina.