AVALON, New Jersey — A sailing lesson in Avalon, New Jersey, took a turn for the worse on Wednesday.
Footage captures a dramatic scene with ten individuals clinging for their lives as a malfunctioning engine, coupled with turbulent waters and fierce winds, drove a sailboat into a jetty.
Moments later, the people on board escaped into the water with their life jackets as the boat started to sink and break into pieces.
Avalon Beach Patrol Chief Matt Wolf reported receiving an emergency distress call around 11 a.m. concerning a boat accident. Wolf noted that this area is one of the most perilous waterways along the East Coast.
“I’ve been working for 28 years. That’s probably the most wild rescue that I ever personally witnessed,” said Wolf.
The Avalon Yacht Club uses the boat named “What Exit” as part of its sailing program.
Joe Mendez, the General Manager, explained that the instructors were operating the engine when it unexpectedly failed, and the sails had not been deployed. Subsequently, the hazardous weather conditions forced the vessel into a collision with the jetty.
“What we’re really proud of is the team response to get everyone out of the boat before anyone got hurt,” said Mendez. “The boat didn’t fare so well, but that’s okay. Property can be replaced, people can’t.”
“We had rescue equipment in the water. We had several assets out there: our ski, lifeboats, paddle boards. We had swimmers on the beach side,” said Wolf.
Wolf said about 40 lifeguards and several agencies arrived to rescue the two instructors and eight teenagers in the water.
He said some of the children were shaken up, but thankfully, no one was hurt.
Wolf also praised the lifeguards for their swift action to save lives.
“There’s not too many people or organizations who could pull off a rescue like that, and that’s really a credit to our guards, the training that they have,” said Wolf. “Some of those lifeguards that were down there today went above and beyond, and there were definitely heroes down there.”
Wolf said they had 24 rescues Wednesday, which is more than any day this summer.
Mendez said club leaders will sit down this weekend to evaluate what happened and change protocols if necessary.
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