Point Pleasant Beach First Aid Underwater Search & Rescue Needs Your Help

A GoFundMe account has been set up for the Point Pleasant Beach First Aid Underwater Search & Rescue to replace one of its rescue boats that sank during a training drill back in June.

The squad was on a routine drill on June 6, when its 16-foot Zodiac Rescue 34 suffered a "catastrophic failure." No one was injured, but the boat sank in minutes and was a total loss.

The lost boat was used during Superstorm Sandy to rescue families, pets and other first responders from the flood waters. It was also used to train divers for more than 15 years.

The squad wants to by a new Ribcraft 19-footer to replace the lost boat.

"These boats are very expensive and our rescue squad has little in the way of funding," the GoFundMe page states. "So the Dive Team is reaching out to friends, family and the general community to help us replace our much needed rescue boat."

Any donations will go towards the purchase of the new Ribcraft, replacing lost equipment and upgrading some of the team's gear.

To make a donation, click here. So far, $375 of the $20,000 goal has been met.

To learn more about the dive team, visit the squad's blogspot at http://ptrescuedive.blogspot.com/

Photo: Point Pleasant Beach First Aid Underwater Search and Rescue