One Dead After Boats Collide in Atlantic Near Long Branch

Two recreational boats collided Saturday afternoon in ocean waters near Long Branch, leaving one man dead and another with injuries in the wake of the accident.

According to several reports, the man, whose name has not yet been released by the New Jersey State Police, was originally taken to Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune for head injuries. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The other passenger was reportedly in shock immediately after the accident.

The United States Coast Guard’s 5th District Public Affairs Office stated that an 18 foot-long pleasure craft and a 36 foot-long pleasure craft named “No Surrender” were involved in an accident at about 1:15 p.m. today, colliding in the Atlantic Ocean about a mile and a half south of Long Branch.

“Personnel aboard the No Surrender, a 36 foot-long pleasure craft with four people aboard, contacted Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay watchstanders informing them of the incident, and that the two people aboard an 18 foot-long pleasure craft sustained injuries,” said Petty Officer Brandyn Hill of the United States Coast Guard’s 5th District Public Affairs Office.

Passengers of the “No Surrender” retrieved both men aboard the 18 foot-long craft, and brought them onto the other boat. The “No Surrender” then headed into the Shark River, where they were met and escorted to the United States Coast Guard Station located there by crews aboard a small 25 foot-long Response Boat and a 47 foot-long Motor Life Boat from the station.

“Personnel from the New Jersey State Police are on scene, and the cause of the accident is under investigation,” Hill said on Saturday.