2 Rescued From Boat As Thunderstorm Rolls Into Jersey Shore

AVALON, NJ — Two were rescued from a sailboat Tuesday that ran aground during a thunderstorm in Avalon, borough officials said.

Avalon emergency responders arrived at Townsend's Inlet shortly after 2:30 p.m. July 18 to find a 30-foot single masted sailboat aground in the inlet and "pitching violently" from rough surf, Fire Chief Ed Dean said. A thunderstorm was bearing down on the area with wind and frequent lightning, he said.

A small boat from the U.S. Coast Guard Cape May and Sea Tow was already on scene, Dean said.

Officials launched the Avalon Fire Boat and the Coast Guard requested wave runners due to shallow water from being near low tide.

The wave runners helped the sailboat owner anchor and took both occupants onto the Avalon Fire Boat, Dean said. No injuries were reported.

Sea Tow took the sailboat and the two occupants and carried them to Cape May upon the request of the sailboat's owner.

"Avalon continues to be blessed to have brave men and women who respond to life-threatening incidents even when conditions are not ideal," borough officials said.