Man goes overboard, spends 4 hours in water before rescue

CAPE MAY, N.J. -- Authorities say a man who went overboard from a vessel spent more than four hours in waters off the southern New Jersey coast before he was rescued by a passing boat.

Coast Guard officials received a mayday call from the Sea Robin around 10 p.m. Saturday and soon launched helicopter and boat crews from their stations in Elizabeth City, Atlantic City and Cape May.

The 45-year-old man was located early Sunday by the Maersk Wesport, a 39-foot recreational vessel that was about 44 miles east of Cape May. He was thrown a life preserver and soon hoisted from the water.

The Coast Guard flew the man to a hospital, but did not say whether he suffered any injuries.

Authorities have not said what caused the man to go overboard.