Coast Guard rescues 3 paddleboarders near Ocean City

Three paddleboaders were rescued by U.S. Coast Guard personnel near Ocean City, New Jersey on Thursday.

The trio was within a back bay when they became stuck in a marsh and distressed, according to a Coast Guard press release.

The Ocean City Police Department requested assistance from Coast Guard Station Ocean City, which dispatched a 29-foot Response Boat-Small rescue crew.

The crew quickly arrived on the scene and transported the paddleboarders, who were not injured, to the 10th Street Pier in Ocean City.

“Communications are key whether you are on a paddleboard or a power boat,” said Lt. Peter Harrington, command duty officer at Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay. “Whenever you’re venturing out onto the water, always make sure you have a reliable means of communication, such as a VHF radio in the event you’re in trouble, to help rescuers get to you quickly and accurately.”

Standup paddleboarding has exploded in popularity the past few years. A sort of combination between surfing and kayaking, it has become a hit on oceans, lakes and rivers across the United States and beyond.

Boards are specifically designed for standup paddling, averaging 10 to 12 feet in length and contoured for easy balancing.

The ancient Hawaiians were believed to use it as transportation between islands and for fishing, while fishermen from Asia to South America have used forms of standup paddleboarding while working their catch.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.