November 27, 2015
Two people died and at least four others were injured when a vessel overturned Friday afternoon in Manasquan Inlet, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Station Manasquan Inlet received a report around 1:30 p.m. of an overturned pontoon vessel in the inlet. A 47-foot motor lifeboat crew from Manasquan Inlet and an MH-65 dolphin helicopter crew from the Coast Guard's Atlantic City station responded to the vessel.
Seven people were aboard the overturned vessel. Four were taken to Ocean Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. One person refused medical treatment.
"The Coast Guard along with multiple other partner agencies and good Samaritans responded immediately when we received the call," Chief Warrant Officer Chris Sparkman, the commanding officer of Station Manasquan Inlet, said in a statement. "This is a sobering reminder to always check the weather before heading out, and to always wear a life jacket while boating."
The New Jersey Police Crime Scene Unit Central, Fatal Accident Unit and Major Crime Unit assisted at the scene. The investigation remains ongoing.
