Operator of vessel # 1 stated in effect:  We were fishing off the Shrewsbury Rocks and decided to head south towards Manasquan Inlet. We were about 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile from the shoreline traveling at about 30/31 MPH, when I felt like we hit something.  I then put the boat into neutral and turned around to see what we hit.  I saw that we hit a boat and came back to assist. 

Owner of vessel #2/victim #2 stated in effect:  We launched from Breeze Marina in Neptune, NJ.  There was a little Fog in the morning so I activated my handheld GPS.  Our first spot was Pier Village and our final spot was by the red church in Long Branch.  We anchored and proceeded to go Blackfish fishing in about 30 to 40 feet of water.  I saved the location in GPS. At the time of the accident it was clear, no fog.  We proceeded to turn off navigation lights.  There were flat seas with wins between 2 to 3 Knots.  I was looking down while fishing when I heard a loud bang.  I was knocked over the side of the boat and into the water.  I saw my cousin lying face down in a pool of water.  I got back into the boat and turned him over.  He was bleeding from the mouth and nose.  His eyes were wide open. I did not see or hear "My Surrender" (vessel #1) immediately before the collision. 

Statements of other witnesses indicated that they did not see vessel #2 prior to collision. 

The undersigned responded to the US Coast Guard Station to conduct a vessel accident investigation.  DSG Crime Scene Investigations Central, processed the scene by photographing vessels #1 and #2 .  I spoke with operator # 1 who gave a brief synopsis of what occurred, before, during and after the accident. Same was  provided in the narrative of this report.  A formal written statement was declined by operator # 1.  The undersigned requested written statements from all witnesses to the incident. 

Investigation revealed: Operator #1, a licensed US Merchant Marine officer was working for hire as a Captain aboard "No Surrender"(vessel #1). Vessel #1 s a commecial vessel that is registered in the sate of NJ. Operator of vessel #1 operated a vessel for hire , and as a result, caused a fatality of victim #1 as per Assistant Monmouth County Prosecutor.  Director of Investigations under the Federal US Coast Guard requirement o take breath and blood samples from operator #1, devised that this fatal accident will be turned over to the Coast Guard for investigation. See USCG case number  622144, CWO Casualty Ivestigations.

Long Branch                   