Coast Guard saves boat from sinking off Cape May

A U.S. Coast Guard crew helped prevent a vessel from sinking and passengers needing rescue off New Jersey, authorities say.

The incident began around 10 a.m. Wednesday about six miles east of Cape May, according to an agency release.

The Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay Command Center in Philadelphia received an emergency notification that the 52-foot recreational boat with two occupants was taking on water.

That sparked a response from Coast Guard Station Cape May crew on a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium.

Upon arrival, they began dewatering the vessel, and the pump was able to avert the boat from sinking as it was being escorted to the Canyon Club in Cape May Harbor.

The boat, dubbed “Hakuna Matata,” is a Swahili phrase from Kenya popularized by the film The Lion King that means “no worries.”

No injuries or pollution were reported.

“The crew aboard the recreational vessel noticed something was wrong and immediately notified Coast Guard watchstanders from their VHF marine radio on Channel 16,” said Petty Officer Second Tyler Fontaine, coxswain on the case. “We were able to quickly escort them to safety and dewater their vessel because of their fast actions.