PHILADELPHIA — The search that began after the Coast Guard received a distress call from a vessel taking on water was called off Monday after the vessel was located in Somers Point, New Jersey.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay in Philadelphia received a mayday call on VHF marine radio channel 16 at approximately 12:45 p.m. Sunday from the 43' recreational vessel Interlude, stating the vessel was taking on water and heading into port.
The Coast Guard launched multiple assets in an effort to locate the vessel in distress including:
- A 47-foot Motor Lifeboat from Station Atlantic City, New Jersey
- A 25-foot Response Boat-Small from Station Atlantic City
- The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Ibis from Cape May, New Jersey
- An MH-65 dolphin helicopter from Air Station Atlantic City
- A C-130 Hercules from Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina
The Coast Guard received a tip the vessel was safely moored up at Smith's Marina in Somers Point.
"Following a garbled distress call Sunday afternoon, the Coast Guard conducted an extensive search for the missing crewmembers from the pleasure craft Interlude with helicopters, boats, cutters and fixed wing aircraft," said Capt. Benjamin Cooper, the commander of Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay. "Thanks to the media coverage, the public assisted the Coast Guard in locating the Interlude's crew in Somers Point and notified us. Fortunately, the crew and vessel returned safely and further searches were averted. Communications were very difficult in this case. The Coast Guard reminds you that if you make a distress call, it is extremely important to notify the Coast Guard when you return safely to shore."
No injuries were reported.