3 Men On Life Raft Off Jersey Shore Rescued

The Coast Guard rescued three men Thursday from their life raft off the Jersey Shore.

The Coast Guard said it received a request for assistance from the captain aboard the 42-foot boat Last Stand, reporting they were sinking following a collision with the 78-foot Tug Dean Reinauer.

A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Cape May launched to assist six miles east of Cape May. The RB-M crew arrived on scene and took the three boaters aboard from their life raft.

"The crew of the fishing vessel Last Stand was extremely prepared and knowledgeable on their safety equipment and procedures,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class James Pappas, Station Cape May officer of the day.

“Their readiness allowed them to abandon ship within 10 minutes of the collision, including scrambling into their survival suits and ultimately into their life raft. They saved their own lives."

The Last Stand sank, and no injuries were reported.