09/14/2023

Operator #1 stated to the effect: We were coming through the inlet at the wrong angle. We stopped to put our spotlight on so we could see the north jetty. That's when we got hit by the wave. I was trapped under the boat and swam out. We grabbed the cooler and someone grabbed us out of the water. 

I was driving the boat when we were coming into the inlet. My brother was in the cabin sleeping. 

Victim #2 stated to the effect: We went out fishing around 2:00pm. We started fishing south in the ocean near Barnegat. We then went north and fished the "Little Italy" area. We were coming into the inlet at the wrong angle and stopped to see the North jetty. Then the boat was hit by a wave and we got trapped under the boat. We then swam out from under the boat and found our cooler. We held onto the cooler until a person in the water grabbed us. My other son was in the cabin sleeping. My son and I were at the helm when everything happened. My son was driving when we were coming into the inlet.

Investigation Revealed: Vessel #1 was being operated near the Manasquan Inlet, Point Pleasant Beach Township, Ocean County. Operator #1 slowed down near the mouth of the Manasquan Inlet to identify the entrance to the inlet. Vessel #1 was then struck by a wave on the Starboard side of the vessel. Vessel #1 subsequently capsized and started to sink. Operator #1 and Victim #2 were thrown inside the helm area and were trapped underneath the vessel. Operator #1 and Victim #2 were able to swim to the surface and were rescued from the water. Operator #1 and Victim #2 were transported to Ocean Medical Center, Brick Township, Ocean County, with minor injuries.

Based on Victim #2 and Victim #3 statements, Victim #1 was believed to be inside the cabin when the vessel capsized. Victim #1 was unable to be located after the incident. For the next nine (9) days, a search for Victim #1 was conducted but was met with negative results. Vessel #1 subsequently disintegrated with small parts of the vessel being found on shore over the next few days.

On 09/23/2023, a body was found near 201 Channel Drive, Point Pleasant Beach Township, Ocean County, same was later identified as Victim #1.

On 09/25/2023, the autopsy was conducted at Community Medical Center, Toms River Township, Ocean County. The cause of death was found to be drowning, (See Investigation Report V530-2023-00047).

MANASQUAN INLET
PIOINT PLEASANT BEACH         