Coast Guard rescues three hunters near Beach Haven

The Coast Guard came to the aid of three hunters who were stranded in southern New Jersey after their 18-foot boat became grounded during a hunting trip.

Authorities say a man used a cell phone to report the incident Tuesday. The man said he and two other people were stranded on Shelter Island, near Beach Haven.

The men reported that they were very cold despite being dressed appropriately for hunting in cold temperatures, but had no immediate medical concerns. Overnight the temperature in Beach Haven dropped to 8 degrees.

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City soon found and hoisted the three men. They were taken back to the air station and received medical treatment, but further details on their conditions were not disclosed.

“They were about 15 miles away and we were there in seven minutes,” said Capt. Jeff Powell, a Royal Canadian Air Force pilot assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City. “They were dressed well and had means of signaling. When they heard the helicopter, they used a flame to get our attention, which directed us to their exact location.”

The hunters’ names were not released.