Good Samaritan rescues occupants from burning boat off Sandy Hook

    Image courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard.

    Image courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard.

    A Good Samaritan sprung into action late this afternoon to rescue mariners from a burning boat off the northern Jersey Shore.

    According to a U.S. Coast Guard release, the agency’s Sandy Hook station received a radio distress call from an occupant on a 40-foot recreational boat around 5 p.m. stating that the vessel was ablaze.

    A rescue crew from the Sandy Hook station departed in a 47-Motor Lifeboat to assist the distressed vessel.

    Upon arrival with FDNY crews, the responders learned that a Good Samaritan had safety transferred the eight occupants from the vessel in distress. The Coast Guard responders assisted FDNY members in extinguishing the fire aboard the vessel.

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    Although the fire was fully extinguished, the boat was unrecoverable and sank in 85-feet of water. 

    The occupants of the distressed vessel were brought ashore by FDNY crews and treated for minor injuries.

    “There is no report of pollution in the water at this time,” the release said.

    Authorities have not identified the initial rescuer. 

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