Ocean Beach firefighters in a rescue boat plucked two people from the water when their boat overturned Sunday night, after a 17-year-old passenger was able to get to land and summon for help.
Toms River authorities responded after a report was phoned in at about 6:30 p.m. Sunday night of a sailboat that overturned off 351 Silver Bay Road due to high winds, Police Chief Mitch Little said.
"The female victim reported that her father and friend went over board when the sail boat over turned in the Silver Bay between Cattus Island Park and Silverton section of Toms River Township," a statement from Ocean Beach Fire Company said.
One of the those in the boat that overturned, Ashley Kowalski, 17, was able to get back to the boat but her father Joseph and friend, Alexandra Ladzinski, were unable to do so and drifted away from the boat, said Little.
Ashley floated near the residence off which the boat overturned and summoned for help, said Little.
The Ocean Beach Fire Company rescue boat responded to the area and recovered both victims in the water at buoy number 22, the fire company said. They were treated for minor abrasions at the scene and released, added Little. The pair had floated about a mile away from where the capsizing occurred, according to the fire company.
All three people on the sail boat were wearing life jackets, the fire company's statement said. The water at the time was choppy with a strong northeast wind.
A report of the incident was sent to the NJSP Marine Unit for further investigation.
In addition to Ocean Beach, the Silverton Fire Boat, East Dover Fire Boat and the New Jersey State Police marine unit and U.S. Coast Guard responded. The fire boat from Brick Fire District No. 1 and a helicopter were also called.
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