Boat Takes on Water in Stouts Creek, Lacey

The United States Coast Guard rescued three people, including a Forked River man, from a boat as it began taking on water in the vicinity of Stouts Creek, Lacey.

Ed Griffen, 38, of Forked River and Jim Hollenbrach, 51, and Ann Rapp, 45, both of Dayville were rescued when the boat they were aboard began taking on water. No injuries were reported.

The Coast Guard received a report from the vessel at 6:05 p.m. and sent a 25-foot Response Boat-Small crew from Coast Guard Station Barnegat Light to the scene, which was seven miles northwest of Barnegat Light.

The boat, a 27-foot twin outboard, was unstable and listing. The Coast Guard took the people off the boat and brought them to Lanoka Harbor Marina.

Tow Boat U.S. Barnegat Light and Beach Haven arrived on the scene and dewatered the vessel. The boat has yet to be towed to the Lanoka Harbor Marina.

The Coast Guard left the scene at 7:45 p.m. The cause of the distress is unknown but they believe it originated in the stern, Petty Officer Crystal Kneen said.

The boat took on water quickly and was lifted 25 degrees, Kneen said. The water was fairly shallow so the vessel got stuck in the ground.

The source originated below the deck, said Chuck Thorpe, operations manager of Tow Boat U.S. Barnegat Light and Beach Haven.

It is possible that a hole was the cause but Tow Boat cannot make that determination yet because the boat is currently still in the water and unsecured, Thorpe said.

Once the boat is out of the water and on Hollenbrach’s trailer, if there is damage, they will be able to determine the cause immediately, Thorpe said.

Hollenbrach is the owner and operator of the boat.

Officials originally reported the incident at approximately 6:27 p.m. The boat was reported to be 500 feet out in the Barnegat Bay near Laurel Boulevard, Lanoka Harbor.

The Lacey Underwater Dive Team and New Jersey State Police Marine Services assisted, officials said.

Check Lacey Patch tomorrow for an update.