Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Coast Guard tows the disabled sailboat Leeway II near Barnegat Light Inlet, NJ


A 47-foot Motor Lifeboat from Coast Guard Station Barnegat Light in Barnegat Light, N.J., tows the disabled 37-foot sailboat Leeway II to Lighthouse Point Marina in Toms River Monday, June 8, 2015. The Leeway II had lost its steering capabilities within the Barnegat Light Inlet and contacted the Coast Guard for assistance. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Sullivan)
A 47-foot Motor Lifeboat from Coast Guard Station Barnegat Light tows the disabled 37-foot sailboat Leeway. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Sullivan)

PHILADELPHIA, PA

A Coast Guard boat crew from Station Barnegat Light towed a disabled sailboat Monday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay received notification through VHF Channel 16 of a sailboat that lost its steering capabilities while transiting the Barnegat Light Inlet.

A Coast Guard 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew arrived on scene with the 37-foot sailboat Leeway II, which had one person aboard, and put the vessel in a stern tow. The boat crew then towed the disabled sailboat to Lighthouse Point Marina in Toms River, New Jersey.

“It was a fulfilling experience to see all of our training come together and see the crew work together in such challenging conditions,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric Thornton, the coxswain on the boat crew.