Coast Guard rescues disabled boaters off Sandy Hook

The U.S. Coast Guard rescued three stranded boaters off Sandy Hook late last week.

The three were aboard an 18-foot vessel in Sandy Hook Bay Friday morning when the boat began experiencing engine problems, according to a Coast Guard release.

Operators at Tow Boat U.S., a commercial salvage and towing company, contacted watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New York to request help for the mariners, who did not have a working marine radio, the release said.

Within minutes, a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew from Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook responded to the scene, transferred the boaters off the disabled vessel, and secure it for towing back to the Atlantic Highlands Marina.

A Small Craft Advisory was in effect at the time due to three to five foot seas and a 25 knot wind, keeping Tow Boat U.S. operators from responding, according to the release.