Fifth District
U.S. Coast Guard

Date: July 19, 2008
Contact: 757-434-6043

Coast Guard rescues scuba diver off Barnegat, N.J.
(Photo and video available) 

Medical personnel from PennSTAR transport a patient to their helicopter at Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, N.J., Saturday, July 19, 2008.  A Coast Guard helicopter rescue crew medevaced 32-year-old Francine Sinotski after she was discovered unconscious while scuba diving about 34 miles off Barnegat, N.J.  (U.S. Coast Guard photo/Petty Officer 1st Class NyxoLyno Cangemi)

PHILADELPHIA - The U.S. Coast Guard medevaced a 32-year-old woman today approximately 34 miles off Barnegat, N.J., after she lost consciousness while scuba diving.

Rescued was Francine Sinotski.

The Coast Guard received a call at approximately 12:55 p.m. today from a crewmember aboard the Gypsy Blood stating a diver aboard their boat had surfaced and was unconscious.  

A helicopter rescue crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, N.J., was launched and hoisted Sinotski from the boat.

"Sinotski regained consciousness moments after being brought aboard the Gypsy Blood and was given oxygen," said Petty Officer 1st Class Pepe Carire, a rescue swimmer who assisted in the medevac.

Sinotski was brought to the Coast Guard air station and transfered to medical personal from PennSTAR in stable condition.

"From the time we launched to the time we returned, the rescue only took 30 minutes," said Carire. "The crew did an awesome job, like a well-oiled machine."

To view video of the rescue, click here.