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Nine people were injured when a yacht exploded 17.5 miles off the coast of New Jersey yesterday, a U.S. Coast Guard spokesman said.

A Coast Guard chopper and two rescue boats scrambled to rescue the 21 passengers of the boat dubbed "Blind Date," Chief Warrant Officer Brandon Brewer said.

The explosion took place around 4:20 p.m. and many of the passengers jumped ship to save their lives.

"It was a call for help. They had lost all of the electronics on board their boat after reportedly some kind of explosion," Brewer said.

He said he had no more information on the yacht or what caused the explosion.

Newsday travel writer Scott Vogel took the ferry over to Block Island for a weekend of fun. Credit: Randee Daddona

Updated now Newsday travel writer Scott Vogel took the ferry over to Block Island for a weekend of fun.

Newsday travel writer Scott Vogel took the ferry over to Block Island for a weekend of fun. Credit: Randee Daddona

Updated now Newsday travel writer Scott Vogel took the ferry over to Block Island for a weekend of fun.

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