Coast Guard safely hoists 2 on Jersey Shore from grounded boat to chopper

GALLOWAY, N.J. (WTXF/AP) - The Coast Guard came to the rescue of two people who were stranded when their boat ran aground at the Jersey shore.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay got the call for assistance at about 9pm Saturday. They were told two people were aboard a 36-foot Catamaran that had ended up near the Little Egg Inlet in Galloway.

Sector Delaware Bay watchstanders launched a 29-foot response boat-small crew was launched from Coast Guard Station Beach Haven while an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from the guard's Atlantic City air station went over to assist.

The helicopter crew eventually hoisted the two people up into the helicopter and took them to Air Station Atlantic City.

"Having properly functioning communication devices, like a fully charged cell phone in a waterproof container, and a marine-band radio help boaters in situations like this," said Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher Brady, an operation duty officer at Air Station Atlantic City. "These boaters did the right thing, reaching out to the Coast Guard before their situation got any worse."

No injuries were reported.