Lifeguards in Deal saved several boaters tossed in the ocean Sunday after their sail boat capsized in rough weather.
Lifeguards had to make the rescue during a 30 mph headwind.
Bailey Crochet, as well as other lifeguards, train for all different types of scenarios.
Last year, Crochet made 27 saves, but not one involved a capsized boat.
“We looked in the binoculars, we saw three people holding onto a platform sitting on it,” says Crochet. “We got everything ready. We knew we couldn't take anything getting else out so we launched the rowboat, [there were] tough wind conditions; we finally got out after a few minutes.”
A hobe cat turned over in the suddenly rough seas, the mast broke, stranding the passengers.
Another boater also got in trouble.
Crochet, and fellow lifeguard Jake Shirley, rowed a mile, rescued the boaters, and came back to shore a half mile north.
Deal Beach Patrol Capt. Mark Spagnuolo says he's proud of his crew, but boaters and beachgoers should always be aware of changing conditions.
“I always advise people to check the forecast to find out exactly what's going on in New Jersey,” says Spagnuolo. “Check the hours. It could look gorgeous in the morning but by the afternoon you got a 25 mile per hour winds.”