Coast Guard rescues 2 men off southern New Jersey coast

SOMERS POINT, N.J. (AP) — A Coast Guard helicopter crew rescued two men from a sinking vessel in Great Egg Harbor off New Jersey's southern coast.

The Coast Guard said Friday in a statement that a helicopter crew from Air Station Atlantic City was diverted from a training flight after 11:30 a.m. to help the mariners off the coast near Somers Point.

The crew spotted the boaters and lowered a rescue swimmer to hoist the men up. The boat was described as a 16-foot recreational vessel.

No injuries were reported and the men's names were not released. It's not clear why the boat was sinking.

Chief Warrant Officer Jacob Gerasimov says the men used a cellphone call 911 but it's important for mariners to have a radio because cellular service can be unreliable.