Imagery available: Coast Guard, Beach Haven Volunteer Fire Department rescue 6 from boat crash near Ham Island, N.J.

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard 5th District Public Affairs North D5 Public Affairs North, Baltimore, Md Office: (410) 576-2541 After Hours: (757) 295-8435 D5 Public Affairs North online newsroom

Imagery available: Coast Guard, Beach Haven Volunteer Fire Department rescue 6 from boat crash near Ham Island, N.J.

Editors Note: To view more or download high-resolution imagery, click on the photo above.

BEACH HAVEN, N.J. - The Coast Guard, and the Beach Haven Volunteer Fire Department rescued six boaters after their 30-foot white pleasure craft struck a fixed aid to navigation in the vicinity of Ham Island, Sunday. 

Watchstanders at the Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay Command Center received a call from a good Samaritan at 12:18 a.m., stating he overheard a large crash and several calls for help in the vicinity of Ham Island.

A 29-foot Response Boat-Small boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Beach Haven was launched to the scene at approximately 12:20 a.m., along with an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Atlantic City, and a jet ski crew from Beach Haven Volunteer Fire Department. Beach Haven Police Department shore crews were also launched.

Once on scene at approximately 12:32 a.m, the Station Beach Haven boatcrew, and the Beach Haven Volunteer Fire Department jet ski crews were able to successfully rescue all six boaters from the water. They had all sustained several injuries from the crash.

The boaters were safely taken back to shore where local emergency medical services personnel transported them to various local hospitals. 

Sector Delaware Bay issued a safety marine information broadcast to mariners to be aware of potential debris in the area from the crash.

Coast Guard crews will be actively working to fix the aid to navigation. 

-USCG-