FORKED RIVER – Four people and a dog were rescued by the Coast Guard from a sinking boat Sunday near Forked River in Barnegat Bay.
According to officials, a 29-foot Response Boat from Coast Guard Station Barnegat Light discovered the sinking 30-foot recreational boat while already underway for operations.
The four people and their dog were transferred to the Coast Guard rescue boat moments before the recreational boat capsized.
“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 dog were taken into a marina in Lanoka Harbor and no injuries were reported. A commercial salvage company righted the boat and towed it into the same marina, officials said.
