Passengers Rescued From Sinking Charter Boat in Sea Isle

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The Starfish charter boat takes on water in a channel in Sea Isle. (Photo courtesy of James Santore on Facebook)

By MADDY VITALE The charter boat Starfish took on water Monday afternoon in Sea Isle City near the Townsends Inlet Yacht Club and had to be towed to safety. Capt. Anthony Garreffi, officer in charge of the Sea Isle Police Department, said the department received a 911 call about the boat. “We turned it over to the Coast Guard. It is their investigation,” Garreffi said, adding that the charter boat was in the waters behind the yacht club. The marine towing company Sea Tow arrived on the scene and brought the boat and passengers ashore. There were 22 passengers aboard, according to a report by NJ.com.

A marine towing company came to pull the boat and take the passengers ashore. (Photo courtesy of Facebook post by Sean Sharkey)

Starfish Boats, a company that is docked at the marina in Sea Isle at 42nd Place, specializes in fishing charters and cruises. The company issued a statement about the incident on its Facebook page. “Thank you for the kind messages, calls and comments we have received so far regarding the incident this afternoon. We are hopeful however the boat does have damage and will be inoperable for some time. All passengers, mate and captain are okay.” The company further said that it will reach out to people who had upcoming scheduled trips. “We will be back!” the statement said.