On the afternoon of April 9, 72-year-old John Mazzi went clamming on Barnegat Bay. At approximately 10 p.m. that evening, U.S. Coast Guard Sector (USCG) Delaware Bay command center watchstanders received a call from Mazzy’s daughter reporting her father overdue from his trip near Baker’s Basin and Oyster Creek Channel.
According to the official USCG report, watchstanders directed the launch of a Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City helicopter crew and a Station Barnegat Light boat crew. They also notified local marine rescue crews to conduct searches. At approximately 2 a.m. the MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew located a 17-foot white Carolina skiff matching Mazzi’s vessel description. The helicopter crew directed the Station Barnegat Light and local Sea Tow crews to the vessel, but no one was found aboard. Shortly after, the helicopter crew spotted Mazzi clinging to his clam rake and float, with a basket filled with clams.
What could’ve been a horrific ending to the story became a cause for celebration, as Mazzi was rescued in the vicinity of Oyster Creek Channel thanks to an aids to navigation dayboard and the rapid response and heroic efforts of first responders. The Sea Tow crew soon arrived and transferred Mazzy, who had hypothermia-like symptoms, to their vessel. “He was damn cold,” said Sea Tow’s Capt. Walt Bohn. “Imagine being out…there for 12 hours. You can imagine what it’s like being in the water. He’s one tough individual,” Capt. Bohn added, noting that he and Capt. Dan Siegel helped Mazzi stay warm until he was airlifted to safety.
Any number of bad things can happen whenever we shove off from the slip or boat ramp. A quick-hitter to gather up a bushel of clams or a few fluke for dinner can take an awful turn for any number of reasons beyond our control. I happen to be a loyal Sea Tow member with my little center console, and while I’ve never had to call for assistance, it’s important insurance to have, whether I leave the confines of the bay or not.
In addition to the Sea Tow membership card in my wallet, another important document to keep handy and up-to-date is the one that should be left at home, perhaps hanging on the refrigerator – that’s a float plan. “Mr. Mazzi filed a float plan with his daughter which greatly assisted rescue crews locating him quickly,” said Rick Anderson, an operations unit controller with the USCG Sector Delaware Bay. “Mr. Mazzi’s float plan was a verbal plan where he told his daughter where he was leaving from, how long he was going to be out and the locations he was planning to do conduct his fishing.
As Anderson noted, float plans can significantly increase mariners’ chances of being found swiftly by rescue crews because the crews have areas to initiate their search efforts. At the very least, an index card posted conspicuously at home with details of your boat – size, make, model, color and manufacturer of your outboard, registration number, any distinguishing onboard features like a Minn Kota on the bow or the canvas color on your T-top, along with your homeport or marina – is a good starting point.
A simple follow-up text to your spouse or kids, before departure, with estimated time of return and general vicinity of where you plan to fish (or clam) can provide first responders a more specific area of search should things go awry. It’s also good for someone at home to know how many people are onboard with you, and most importantly you cellphone number. “I have the technology where I actually can ping a number,” Capt. Bohn told me.
Finally, Capt. Bohn recommended keeping a flashlight on your person, “Something you can clip on to use for signaling if you lose contact with your boat,” he added.
