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McGary911
09-03-2002, 12:36 PM
Published in the Asbury Park Press 9/02/02
By GREGORY J. VOLPE
TOMS RIVER BUREAU
POINT PLEASANT BEACH -- Battling currents, winds and waves up to 12 feet high, three lifeguards had only one thought as they made the most dramatic rescue of their careers Saturday night: helping the victims.

Jenkinson's Beach Lifeguards Michael Herman, 21, of Point Pleasant Beach, Assistant Capt. Vincent Dallicardillo, 30, Toms River, and Sgt. Michael McGee, 25, of Brick, swam more than 200 yards in rough conditions at 4:55 p.m. Saturday to save the lives of two boaters.

"It was pretty hairy," Herman, the lead rescuer, said yesterday. "I was pretty calm about everything. I've never seen anything like it before. It was very exciting. I loved it. I'd do it over and over."

Herman was working his last shift of the season Saturday, before heading back to the University of Delaware where he is a senior physical education major. He saw the 31 foot Donzi speed boat take on water after crashing down a wave. When the boat capsized, he radioed for help and headed to help the victims.

Dallicardillo and McGee, who had come from other parts of the beach, followed Herman into the water to help the boaters.

"When you're more than 200 yards off shore, that's more of a Coast Guard or State Police thing," Dallicardillo said. "But we weren't sure who had contacted them or how long it would be, so we went out instinctively, I guess."

With the wind, rip currents, and waves that ranged from 9 to 12 feet, the rescue reminded Dallicardillo of scenes from "The Perfect Storm."

"It was pretty cool," he said. "It was a neat experience. It's exciting, a good way to go out for the season."

When Herman reached the victims, he used a floating torpedo to stabilize two of them: a 33-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy, whom Coast Guard officials are not identifying. The boat's operator, Stephen M. Egan, 34, of Point Pleasant, was being pulled onto the 47-foot Coast Guard Cutter when the lifeguards arrived.

"It was just kind of get in and get there and then kind of hang out and wait just to make sure the victims are secure," McGee said.

The Cutter, manned by Petty Officers Paul Ashley, Peter Hanners, Joshua Hagan, David Welsh and an unidentified sea cadet, then pulled in the other two victims and the three lifeguards who monitored the victims' conditions while they returned to shore. The victims received cuts and bruises when the boat capsized, but none was hospitalized.

The whole episode took 15 minutes, McGee said.

Dean Albanese, lifeguard captain at Jenkinson's, said he was proud of his squad, whom he called heroic.

"They get pumped up for things like that, that's what they're there for," he said. "They were pretty pumped that they saved someone's life. They're definitely heroes, just to go out in those waves. I'm glad they're on my staff. I'm very proud of them."

The cause of the capsize remains under investigation, but authorities believe it was because of extremely rough conditions that lead to a heavy surf advisory and small craft advisory for the entire Jersey Shore.

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This happened off the shore of my hometown. I don't have much info, but this may have been the Club Egan boat that won its class in the SBI race a few weeks back. If that's the case, its a 28' ZX with twins. Paper says its a 31' Donzi??? Must be a helluva swim platform on it then?? There's no such thing as a 31' Donzi, is there?

HyperDonzi
09-03-2002, 02:35 PM
maybe a 33zx?

SHARKEYMARINE
09-03-2002, 06:03 PM
WOW! What a horrible way to end the season... :( Glad to hear all are ok...

Shanghied Again
09-03-2002, 06:25 PM
The boat was a 28ZX he raced local class in PT with it she was a 1999 with twin 350s, The only problem I have is small craft warnings were up the State Police were warning people not to go out! 12ft waves N/E winds holes over 20ft and side current and he goes out the Inlet! What would you do? I would stay inside! My friend wouldn't go out with a 42 Outerlimits his exact words were (I value my life just a little bit ) Everyone in our Poker Run had the common sense on Saturday to run inside.

SHARKEYMARINE
09-03-2002, 07:32 PM
Here is a pic... eek! http://www.homestead.com/njoffshore/files/Div_5___Club_Egan_Racing.jpg

Wildfire
09-03-2002, 08:24 PM
I lost a "new" boat about 3 weeks ago. Perfectly calm water. Just filled up - yes, the plug was in.

Kind of funny to watch something you just bought disappear. Sort of thing you never think will happen to you. Both the wife and I are fine, the insurance check has been cashed and the boat will stay 100' down forever.

Glad to hear everyone was OK in this one too.

Bryan Tuvell 33ZX
09-03-2002, 08:30 PM
Most cannot define the meaning.
Here is the facts from NOAA in regards to SCWarning, up and to include 33 ft.
We just had this conversation Saturday night at a party. Bryan

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/tlh/marine/faq.html

Time to return to my normal surfing activity.....
www.consumptionjunction.com (http://www.consumptionjunction.com)

McGary911
09-03-2002, 11:07 PM
I had my 34' [ <---- the one in my avatar] out Saturday morning, and can attest to the fact that it was pretty hairy out there. I was in by 10am due to the amount of thowup coming out of the girls. Even once i was in, the swells continued to get bigger and bigger as the wind picked up. I live on the ocean so i got to see the worsening seas close up. No way would i be out in a 28' in those seas.
I took over a ride over to a car/boat show where they also had a poker run. There were 4-5 footers on the bay. Frank, I guess this was the poker run you mention. I didnt see any Donzis in the water, but there was a 26 [i think] on a trailer. Was that puppy yours? If so, nice boat!

Shanghied Again
09-04-2002, 04:57 AM
McGary, Yes that was my 26 and my sons 16 Outboard next to her, The Ocean started out nasty Saturday morning with 5-6ft and bulding according to the State Police, by 2:00pm there were 4-5ft in the bay!