USCG Assists 5 Grounded Duck Hunters, Dog

The Coast Guard transported five duck hunters and their dog to safety after their 23-foot boat ran aground and partially sank near Big Porpoise Point, Tuesday morning.

The hunters contacted watchstanders at Station Hobucken at 5:53 a.m., via cell phone and notified them that they were grounded and the rear of their boat was submerged. Station Hobucken launched a 24-foot Special Purpose Craft-Shallow Water boat crew to assist.

Once in scene, the Coast Guard crew took the hunters aboard and transported them to Re Mayo marina in Hobucken. There were no reported injuries or pollution. The boat is expected to be salvaged by the owner.

"It's great that they contacted us as soon as they ran into trouble," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Edward Fischer, coxswain during the case. "Cold water and weather temperatures can complicate things and turn a bad situation to worse very fast."