A jet skier is recovering but still alive thanks to the heroic efforts of a Coast Guard helicopter crew at the Jersey Shore.
The jet skier fell overboard in Manasquan Inlet near Point Pleasant Beach Sunday. At the same time, a helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City happened to be flying over the Inlet while on a training flight. Petty Officer 3rd Class Billy Arrison, the aircrew’s rescue swimmer, noticed the jet ski was in the water but no one was riding it.
The crew members looked over the Inlet and spotted a man in the water near the jetty. As the helicopter circled around to make an approach, the jet ski slammed into the rocks. With the man approaching the rocks as well, the helicopter crew quickly got into position and used a hoist cable to lower Arrison into the water. Arrison grabbed the man and the two were hoisted out of the water and brought to safety at a nearby beach.
