Coast Guard Rescues 4 From Sailboat Sinking Off Barnegat Light

Coast Guard officials say four people escaped serious injury when their sailboat started sinking in waters off Barnegat Light.

A crew member aboard the Odes of Joy notified the Coast Guard around 7:20 p.m. Thursday that the 38-foot sailboat was taking on water. Officials say it had been sailing in 3- to 5-foot waves and apparently hit a submerged jetty off Barnegat Light, then eventually broke up on the rocks.

A 47-foot Coast Guard boat happened to be patrolling in the area and reached the sinking sailboat just minutes after the distress call was made. Crew members then helped the four passengers from the sailboat and took them to a Coast Guard Station in Ocean County.

The passengers' names were not disclosed.