WARETOWN, NJ — A man was airlifted to the hospital Saturday after two boats collided in Barnegat Bay, triggering a rapid rescue response from the U.S. Coast Guard and TowBoatUS crews who worked urgently to keep both vessels from sinking.

Rescue Response

Officials said a lifeboat crew and a Coast Guard helicopter were deployed immediately after the crash. Responders used dewatering pumps to stabilize both damaged boats, preventing them from going under in the bay’s channel. Once the vessels were secured, they were towed to a marina in Waretown for further inspection.

The injured man was flown to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City. His condition has not yet been released.

Possible Cause

A source told Daily Voice that the fishing boat involved in the crash had been returning from offshore when its captain reportedly fell asleep while the vessel was on autopilot, causing it to veer into the other boat. This account has not been independently verified by authorities.

Weather & Conditions

Conditions on the water were relatively calm at the time of the collision, with light winds under 10 mph and waves between 1 and 3 feet, according to early reports.

Summary

The Barnegat Bay collision left one man injured and airlifted to Atlantic City, while both boats were later recovered thanks to fast action from Coast Guard and TowBoatUS crews. The investigation into what caused the crash remains ongoing.