OT - Boat Accident in Manasquan Inlet, 2 Dead

[knightfan7]

Any one who's seen the pontoon boat that runs out of the inlet and travels up and down the coast is probably not all that shocked it flipped over in the inlet today. 5 people were rescued but 2 died. I heard the sirens and saw emergency vehicles heading down that way. There were NJSP and NYC Police Copters hovering around. NYC also sent divers.

I've often sat on the beach wondering why anyone would go out in the ocean aboard that boat. I've had friends who are big time boaters tell me they'd never go near it. Supposedly it cut the corner too sharp. hit the rocks and flipped over. Such a shame. The two who died were senior citizens from Philly. Weren't wearing life jackets at the time.

 

[Rutgers#1]

Any one who's seen the pontoon boat that runs out of the inlet and travels up and down the coast is probably not all that shocked it flipped over in the inlet today. 5 people were rescued but 2 died. I heard the sirens and saw emergency vehicles heading down that way. There were NJSP and NYC Police Copters hovering around. NYC also sent divers.

I've often sat on the beach wondering why anyone would go out in the ocean aboard that boat. I've had friends who are big time boaters tell me they'd never go near it. Supposedly it cut the corner too sharp. hit the rocks and flipped over. Such a shame. The two who died were senior citizens from Philly. Weren't wearing life jackets at the time.

Very sad story. I went fishing this past summer going out that same inlet. We were on a decent sized fishing boat with probably 30 people on board. However, I couldn't believe how rough the water was just beyond the rocky pier and how the large boat was getting tossed about. I couldn't fathom being out there on a pontoon boat.

 

[runuts]

When I had my 24' boat there were times I never challenged the mouth of that inlet. I once saw guy who was up on the flying bridge get launched out of a boat. Lucky for him another boater fished him out.

 

[RU_DIO]

When the water gets rough before hurricanes or northeasters I've seen boats come in on their sides, even head boats.

 

[zappaa]

Manasquan and Barnaget inlets, both dangerous and difficult to navigate.

 

[BigRnj]

This is a terrible accident for some guys just trying to live the good life and my heart goes out to their family and friends. I was out through the Barnegat Inlet at the same time today. I have been boating there for 30 years and on the rare occasion there is a pontoon boat out there I just shake my head. I have a seaworthy boat and will struggle with the conditions in and near the inlet at times. Aluminum pontoon boats simply are not designed for open ocean. With the warm weather and striped bass run there were a lot of boats out today, so with current, wind, tide and boat wakes it was a bit choppy in spots. But even in flat conditions a pontoon has no business running these inlets and operating near boats at the mouth of inlets.

 

[BigRnj]

PS the boat rental businesses in Barnegat don't allow pontoon renters to enter the inlet, let alone open ocean. I say this only so others avoid this kind of mistake. The ocean is unforgiving.

 

[Scarlet Knut]

Sorry to hear this, but not surprised. As someone else mentioned both Manasquan and Barnegat Inlets can be very difficult.

 

[bdc9475]

I actually witnessed the event with my 12 year old son. I was on the point pleasant side. The surf at the mouth of the inlet was pretty large. I could not
Believe when I saw the pontoon trying to navigate the surf. They were close to the rocks but I believe it was just the rough
Surf that tipped them over. The whole event was surreal. I felt totally helpless watching the tragedy unfold.
Coast Guard , other boaters , and surfers helped pull the survivors out of the water. Several choppers overhead, one lowered a basket retrieving a body from the water after 30-40 minutes.
I have always thought the inlet was incredibly rough for smaller boats. I am really sad to have witnessed this today. I feel terrible for the families of the victims.

 

[RUaMoose]

Can't say I've ever seen a pontoon boat on the ocean. That's not what they're intended for. I always rent one for 1/2 day when I go to OBX but it's on the Sound side