RedactedNarrative: Operator #1 stated: Trip started at 6 pm Wednesday from Stony Point NY Minisceongo yacht club. We stopped at liberty marina NJ at 2:30am for fuel. We anchored next to the Statue of Liberty. Picked up anchor around 10:30 am Thursday. We made our way to Sandyhook area. With no wind we decided to rest a bit before motoring. Started engine at 9am Friday. Conditions started declining around 5:30pm & waves continued to increase. Around 7:20pm we were hit with a strong wave that took me off my feet. Holding on to the wheel I felt the steering cable snap. 
  
  The steering wheel spun free. At this time I contacted coast guard on VHF 16 to inform them of the situation. I then entered the engine compartment to find the steel steering cable loose, the cable had disconnected from the interior of the Edison pedestal. I knew I would never repair that in time. 
  
  I decided I would use the emergency tiller. It was located in the rear lazarette. It was mounted in a pvc tube positioned in such a way that did not allow it to be released. I took a screwdriver and dismounted the pvc pipe allowing me to free the tiller. This took approximately what felt like 10 minutes. A few minutes later the wind and waves had dragged us onto a shoal. 
  
  We were laying on our side the waves lifting the boat and slammed us repeatedly. Unaware that we were on a sandbar we assumed the worst. (We may be on rocks) with this in mind as we watched the cabin floor flexing on every wave crash we knew the keel was cracked. If we had been on rocks, the minute the crack opened we could have sunk rapidly. 
  
  At this time we felt our lives were in immediate risk & we requested a mayday. We proceeded to locate our ids and emergency supplies (additional flotation devices flares etc.) when we saw the helicopter and noticed the search lights scanning for us we sent out gun fired flares. They immediately reported that they sighted the flare and quickly adjusted course directly to us. 
  
  They sent down their swimmer who proceeded to enter our cockpit from our rear swim ladder. Myself and the coast guard helped subject1 to dismount the vessel and proceed to the lift basket. When she was safely aboard the swimmer returned to the vessel to assist me to exit after waiting a short period of time to allow the chopper to adjust to a safe weight. We then exited the vessel & I entered the lift basket. Once the swimmer was aboard we left the scene.
  
  Investigation revealed: Vessel #1 was operating in the Atlantic Ocean traveling South in the area of Little Egg Inlet, Little Egg Harbor Township, Ocean County. Vessel #1 became disabled causing Operator #1 to lose control of his vessel. 
  
  Operator #1 attempted to regain control, but was unable to do so. Vessel #1 then hit a sandbar causing major damage to the hull of the vessel. Operator #1 then made contact with the United States Coast Guard via VHF Channel 16. The United States Coast Guard dispatch members from the Atlantic City Air Station to rescue the two occupants. 
  
  The United States Coast Guard used a helicopter to hoist the two occupants from the vessel. It should be noted that the United States Coast Guard left the vessel in the area of Little Egg Inlet due to strong winds, driving rain and strong current. No injuries were observed or reported at the scene. Vessel then sunk due to major damage to the hull.
  
  
  