BRIGANTINE - U.S. Coast Guard Station Atlantic City responded to two search and rescue cases within two-and-a-half hours near Absecon Inlet, Saturday, Sept. 21.
Four people were saved in two separate cases. One involved two girls who were swept out to sea on surfboards and the other involved two adult males in distress on inner-tubes.
“We’re always standing by 24/7 ready to go,” U.S. Coast Guard Station Atlantic. City Commanding Officer Lt. Matthew Asire said. “Whether that’s a quick 5-minute case right around the corner or we’re heading offshore for a tow in heavy weather, no matter what, we’re standing by ready to go.”
Watchstanders from U.S. Coast Guard Sector Delaware-Bay received a report from Brigantine Police Department at approximately 11:47 a.m. stating two young girls, ages 11 and 14, were being swept out into Absecon Inlet on surfboards.
Watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast Notice to mariners and diverted nearby Coast Guard Station Atlantic City’s 29-foot Response Boat-Small II reservist crew in response.
The crew safely recovered the two girls at approximately 11:55 a.m. and returned them to Station Atlantic City and local emergency management services.
At approximately 2:03 p.m., watchstanders from Sector Delaware-Bay received another report from the Brigantine Police Department stating two males were in distress on inner tubes along Absecon Inlet.
Watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast Notice and deployed an additional active duty Coast Guard Station Atlantic City 29-foot Response Boat-Small II crew. The crew safely recovered the two men at approximately 2:10 p.m. and transported them back to Brigantine Cove.
The weather on scene was winds of 12 miles-per-hour and seas up to 4 feet.
