Responders arrived 30 minutes after the Miss Sandy issued a mayday call and found the vessel rapidly flooding.

The vessel was rapidly taking on 4 to 5 feet of water in its engine room, and exhaust fumes began to fill the space, adding to the danger. The Coast Guard Cutter William Chadwick, alongside good Samaritans and local rescue teams, arrived within 30 minutes to assist.

Coast Guard officials say had the incident occurred further offshore or in worse weather conditions, the situation “could have been far more dire.”