Coast Guard urges diving safety along N.J. coast
 

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - The Coast Guard is urging divers, both experienced and inexperienced, to use caution while diving.

The Coast Guard has responded to three diving accidents off the New Jersey coast in 2009 all resulting in fatalities.

Both civilian and Coast Guard divers agree that training is one of the top priorities to be taken for diving.

"The number one thing is proper training and not diving beyond your means," said Steve Gatto, a 30-year veteran of diving off the New Jersey coast. "It is more difficult the deeper you go."

"Make sure you are certified through one of the recognized dive instruction certification programs," said Lt. Alan Fitzgerald, the command diving officer of the Coast Guard Maritime Security Response Team in Chesapeake, Va.

Some of the recognized organizations that conduct dive instruction certification programs are:

Professional Association of Diving Instructors http://www.padi.com/scuba/

National Association of Underwater Instructors http://www.naui.org/

Scuba Schools International http://www.divessi.com/

Some safety tips to remember before and during a dive are:

-Get a medical examination from your doctor to ensure your body is physically capable of handling the conditions of the ocean.

-Never dive by yourself. Ensure you have a dive plan and a diving "buddy." There is safety in numbers.

-File a float plan, which includes the name of the charter vessel, with a family member or nearby marina. If you decide to deviate from your original intended plan, proper notification of the change should be made as soon as possible.

-Check your dive equipment carefully and check how the equipment functions, especially if the equipment is rented. Ensure inspections are done annually on diving gear.

-New Jersey state law requires that you mark the diving area with a dive flag and requires boats to stay at least 50 feet away from the flag if displayed from a buoy, boat or float. For more information regarding New Jersey dive laws click here.

-Know the signs and symptoms of diver distress such as heat exhaustion, hypothermia and dehydration, as well as procedures for emergency treatment.

-Check the local weather conditions before your dive or begin the trip to your dive site.

-Remember, taking all the basic safety precautions while diving will increase your chance of surviving a potential diving accident.

Coast Guard rescues 4 near Absecon Inlet, N.J.

ABSECON INLET, N.J. - The Coast Guard rescued four people Friday near Absecon Inlet, N.J., after the 35-foot boat they were aboard ran aground.

The Coast Guard received a call at 2:43 a.m. from a crew member aboard the Tri-Sail reporting they had run aground.

A rescue helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, N.J., arrived on scene and hoisted two of the men and transported them to awaiting emergency medical personnel at Coast Guard Station Atlantic City while a Coast Guard rescue swimmer stayed aboard the boat. The rescue helicopter crew returned to the boat and hoisted the remaining two men and the rescue swimmer aboard. The two men were transported to Station Atlantic City.

"The running lights were working and all the guys had life jackets and safety gear," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Tye Conklin, a rescue swimmer at Air Station Atlantic City. "There was a positive outcome because of all the safety gear they had aboard."

There are no injuries reported.

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Coast Guard crews, Good Samaritan rescue 3 near Fortescue Inlet, N.J.

FORTESCUE INLET, N.J. - The Coast Guard and a Good Samaritan rescued three people Friday five miles southeast of Fortescue Inlet, N.J., after their 22-foot boat was taking on water and sank.

The Coast Guard received a call at 10:04 a.m. from a crew member aboard the Big Trout reporting they were taking on water. A Good Samaritan aboard the Serenity reported to the Coast Guard they rescued two of the three people from the water.

A rescue boat crew from Coast Guard Station Fortescue Inlet, and a rescue helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, N.J., arrived on scene.

 The boat crew rescued the remaining person from the water at approximatley 11:00 a.m.

All three people were transferred to the Coast Guard boat and transported to Anchor Marina in Maurice River, N.J.

No injuries were reported.

"It is always a good idea to make sure all your gear is in working order before you leave the dock," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Joshua Cooklin, a crew member aboard the rescue boat. "Their GPS was not functioning properly, and it took a little longer to find them."