Sunday - May 22, 2011:

On this date at approximately 11:30 am the N.J.S.P. Bivalve Station received a "Mayday" distress call over VHF marine radio channel 16.  The nature of distress and location of the vessel was unknown at the time.  S/Sgt. and I prepared troop vessel 8257, a 23 ft V-Ram to respond to the call.  Further information was received from Sea Tow Maurice River stating they had received a phone call from a boater who stated they were taking on water and sinking near Maurice River buoy #1 and then the phone call was disconnected.  Sea Tow attempted to call back the number but was unsuccessful and stated the boat may have sunk.  Upon our arrival in the vicinity of the last known area near buoy #1 a person was observed waving his arms with a red colored life jacket standing on the bottom of capsized vessel.  As we approached the vessel we observed two other persons in the water clinging to the hull of the capsized vessel not wearing life jackets.  All three persons were pulled from the water and secured on troop vessel 8257.  All persons involved in the capsizing were rescued and accounted for.  All subjects were transported to Long Reach Marina in Commercial Twp., Cumberland County where they were treated by the Millville City Ambulance Rescue Squad for mild hypothermia, small abrasions and hyperventilation with chest pain.  No further treatment was required beyond first aid.  

Operator vessle #1 stated:  We were heading back to the marina after a fishing trip when the motor starting running rough and stalled out.  The motor couldn't be restarted and as we were drifting the waves from the rough seas were coming in the boat over the stern.  The boat began to flood and more water was coming in.  The bilge pump wasn't keeping up with the water coming in.  It was looking like we might be sinking so I made a Mayday, Mayday, Mayday call on the radio.  Occupant called Sea Tow on his cell phone and all of a sudden the boat flipped over and we were all in the water.  It was lucky no one got caught underneath the boat when it flipped over.  All we could do was wait and hope that help was on it's way.  

Investigation revealed:  The operator of vessel #1 was attempting to head back to the marina (Long Reach Marina) after a morning fishing trip when his outboard motor lost power causing the vessel to become disabled.  This allowed the rough seas to enter Vessel #1 over the stern causing flooding.  Vessel #1, a 19 ft Cox does not have a transom well thus allowing the water to enter directly into the vessel.  As vessel #1 flooded , the bilge pump was unable to keep up with the amount of water coming over the stern.  With the additional weight of the water and the rough seas Vessel #1 dipped the edge of the starboard / stern below the waters surface and thus capsizing Vessel #1 throwing all three occupants into the 66 degree water.

Commercial Township           