12/14/2013

At 2111 hours, USCG Sector NY received a report of an overdue 20 foot vessel, later identified as vessel #1.  The vessel was reported to have departed the Beach Walk at Sea Bright Motel and Marina, 344 Ocean Ave, Sea Bright NJ and was enroute to the James T White Clam Depuration Plant, Highlands NJ.  The reporting person stated in effect, that his friend and fellow clammer, victim #1, was supposed to meet at his residence around 1830 hrs. Victim #1 travels via vessel and ties up at the Clam Depuration Plant, near Residence.  Further investigation revealed via Beach Walk Manager that operator #1 was last seen departing the motel via vessel #1, heading in a northern direction around 1630 hrs.

USCG Sector NY pinged Victim's cell phone and determined the last known location was at 1805 hrs, in the area of Plum Island, located on Sandy Hook Gateway National Park.  At 2150 hrs, members of USCG Station Sandy Hook responded to the area. At 2154 hrs, NJSP Carteret Station was contacted, and advised of the situation.  Due to inclement snowy weather conditions, A NJSP vessel was unable to respond, and would commence Search and Rescue Operations the following morning, Sunday, 12/15/2013.

12/15/2013

At 0601 Hrs, members of CG Station Sandy Hook resumed search and rescue operation.  At 0857 hrs, NJSP Vessel 8251 , arrived in the area of th Shrewsbury River, Highlands NJ and conducted a search. The search was assisted by USCG rescue Helicopter 6591.  At approximately 1109 hrs, vessel #1, a 20 foot Romarine, clam vessel, Bearing NJ Registration
 blue in color, was located completely submerged, with no one arround it, approximately 10 yards from the bulkhead of S. Marine Place, Highlands, NJ.
Highlands Boro