A Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook heavy-weather crew rescued four stranded men from an “unseaworthy” 22-foot boat in Raritan Bay, New Jersey, late last year. Winds were 30 knots, and seas were 3 to 5 feet. “This type of boat was designed to be operated on lakes, not the ocean,” Petty Officer 3rd Class Jennifer Smith says. “Before leaving the dock, you should always check the weather, file a float plan, check your lifesaving equipment and ensure your vessel is safe to be out on the water.”
This article originally appeared in the February 2018 issue.
