Was yacht explosion off Sandy Hook, N.J, a hoax?

A luxury "superyacht" was reported to have exploded Monday afternoon 17½ miles off the coast of Sandy Hook, N.J., critically injuring at least nine passengers, according to Coast Guard officials.

Monday night, however, the Associated Press reported that the Coast Guard said the explosion might have been a hoax and that it could find no signs of distress in the water.

A caller said all 21 people aboard the 161-foot vessel, known as the Blind Date, escaped on life rafts and were accounted for following the 4:20 p.m. explosion, Coast Guard Lt. Joe Klinker told the AP. The Coast Guard declared a "mass-casualty incident" and requested the aid of additional authorities and helicopters.

A "good Samaritan" vessel, the Erica, was in the vicinity when the explosion occurred and assisted in the rescue until emergency apparatus, including two Coast Guard helicopters, three 47-foot motor lifeboats, two New York City Police Department helicopters, and a helicopter from Nassau County Police, could respond, the Coast Guard said.

A fleet of ambulances and dozens of emergency personnel awaited the arrival of the victims via Coast Guard choppers at two medevac landing zones set up in Sandy Hook and Atlantic Highlands, both in Monmouth County.

About 90 minutes after the first report of the explosion, authorities had not located a debris field and could not give a cause for the explosion, the Coast Guard said.

Klinker said it was "highly unusual" for the Coast Guard to get to the scene so quickly but not locate anything or see any sign of distress. He said it was unclear if a yacht called the Blind Date exists.

Contact Jacqueline L. Urgo at 609-652-8382 or jurgo@phillynews.com. Read the Jersey Shore blog "Downashore" at www.philly.com/downashore.