Yet on July 23, Avalon, New Jersey, had an epic rescue. A sailing lesson that took a dangerous turn for a group from Avalon Yacht Club. The group, consisting of eight teens and two instructors, found themselves in a life-threatening situation after their sailboat, named “What Exit,” capsized in the turbulent waters of Townsends Inlet, known for its treacherous conditions.
What was intended to be a happy and educational sailing lesson turned into something tragic that day. When the ship capsized, all ten people onboard were needed to jump ship and get into the water. Thankfully, they were all wearing lifejackets, a particularly important factor in their safety. A group of bystanders and lifeguards rushed in to assist with the nearby rescue. It didn’t take long for them to have everyone organized to get everyone safely back onshore.
About 40 lifeguards and emergency responders surrounded the scene, including multiple agencies working together to execute the rescue. For lifeguards and bystanders, jumping into the water to rescue the stranded instructors and students became a life-saving mission. That dramatic rescue, including the video that went viral, shows just how fast these responders jumped into action and worked together to prevent an unfathomable tragedy.
“The boat performance wasn’t the best, and that’s okay,” said Mendez. “Property can be replaced, but people cannot.” He is the lead instructor, conducted the rescue.
Avalon Beach Patrol Chief Matt Wolf See also Beach Safety Chief Matt Wolf Commended the Operation’s Workers for Saving Lives Avowed an operation that saved lives. He noted, “We had several assets out there: our ski, lifeboats, paddle boards.” He focused on the astonishing aspect of the rescue. Few individuals or institutions would even be able to pull off such a feat, he added. Many of those lifesavers who were down there today did everything to make us proud.
Wolf has spent the last 28 years saving lives as a lifeguard. He even went on to call the entire operation “probably the most crazy rescue that I ever personally saw.” His remarks highlight just how important and urgent the moment is. They serve to highlight the extraordinary qualitative response—from the lifeguards themselves, and from the community around them.
