Operator 1 Stated in Effect: I had exited the Manasquan Inlet and was heading sonthbonnd to go fish. While heading to fish, I struck a tow line attached to a submerged fishing vessel with both of my propellers and began taking on water. Tow Boat US then towed us to Southside Marina in Point Pleasant Beach where our vessel was removed and an initial assessment of damages was conducted. I did not observe any markers to designate a hazardous navigation area.

Investigation Revealed: Vl was traveling southbound at approximately 15 kts in the Atlantic Ocean in the area of Point Pleasant Beach Borough, Ocean County. In the course of travel, Vl struck a tow line attached to V2 with both propellers and began to take on water. Vl was subsequently removed by Tow Boat U.S. to Southside Marina in Point Pleasant Beach. V2, a 77' Steiner Stern Troller "Susan Rose", had run aground onto Point Pleasant Beach on 11/17/2023. Same was removed from the beach by Northstar Marine on 11/19/2023 at approximately 01:30 hours at which time a catastrophic failure occurred and V2 became submerged approximately 500' from the beach in approximately 50' of water as per a public statement provided by Northstar Marine. It should be noted that there was only approximately a 5 hour difference between the submerging of V2 and the collision which occurred with Vl, therefore the information was not being distributed via news outlets to warn mariners.

The undersigned subsequently contacted the U.S. Coast Guard Manasquan station who confirmed that Safety Mariner Broadcasts were being periodically issued via VHF channel 16, which is utilized for Emergency and Distress Calls. Coast Guard Manasquan further provided a contact from Tow Boat US who was on scene assisting Northstar Marine as a safety vessel at the time of the failed salvage attempt. The undersigned subsequently spoke with Tow Boat US who stated in effect that the tugboat was utilizing two (2) 600' lengths of tow line shackled together for a total of 1200' while salvaging the Susan Rose. He further stated that subsequent to the submerging to the Susan Rose, one of the lengths was removed, however the second 600' tow line was left in and a poly ball bony was placed at the end of the line. Subject further stated there was not a marker placed to designate the location of the wreck.

It should be noted that 600' of line remaining attached to a vessel submerged in 50' of water leaves approximately 550' of line as a navigational hazard. It should be further noted that without marking the submerged vessel, due to not having two points of reference, it would not be feasible for mariners to determine where the hazardous area was located, nor which way the tow line was coming from.

ATLANTIC OCEAN
POINT PLEASANT BEACH BOROUGH  