3 Rescued

Coast Guard rescues boaters lost in fog near Cape May

by George Berkin/The Star-Ledger
Monday July 21, 2008,

Three people fishing for sport in the Cape May Inlet were rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard early this morning after they became disoriented because of thick fog, officials said. Their boat remained upright, and they were not injured.

The trio's 38-foot power boat was in the inlet at the southern edge of Cape May county about 2 a.m. when fog caused visibility to drop to 50 yards, said Petty Officer Crystal Kneen of the Coast Guard station at Atlantic City.

Using a marine radio, the trio called the Coast Guard for help, and a rescue boat crew from the Cape May Station was dispatched.
"The captain did the smartest thing," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jared Meloro of Coast Guard Station at Cape May. "Instead of keeping the propulsion, he dropped the hook and called for help."
It took a rescue boat about 30 minutes to locate the three aboard the fishing boat, which was towed to shore. Their names, ages or hometowns were not released.

"Instead of keeping the propulsion, he dropped the hook and called for help."

Sometimes in a fog that's the best thing, unless you have another boat out with you, or can see the shore. Glad they're ok.