Deadly crashes prompt boating safety warning in Ocean County
TOMS RIVER, N.J. (WPVI) -- Following several deadly boating incidents in Ocean County, officials are emphasizing the importance of navigation awareness, local knowledge and attentiveness on the water.
The latest crash occurred just before 11 p.m. Saturday in Barnegat Bay, where New Jersey State Police said one man was killed and three others were injured when a boat struck a channel marker in Toms River.
Officials said the boat collided with a channel marker anchored in the bay. The marker, a steel pole fixed into the bedrock, sustained visible damage in the crash, including a mangled ladder.
RELATED | 1 dead, 3 injured after boat crashes into channel marker in Barnegat Bay
"It looks like the vessel came across the front side or, you know, also the wrong side of the intercoastal. They should have been more out to the right, out in the middle of the channel. I don't know what they tried to avoid, but as you can see, you know, they ended up striking the, the piling," said Ocean County Sheriff's Department Corporal James Scott.
The Ocean County Sheriff's Department said the channel marker is equipped with a flashing red light that is operational at night. Officials said the light was functioning over the weekend.
The collision marked the second fatal boating crash in approximately a week in Ocean County.
On July 19, two children, ages 9 and 7, were killed when the boat they were riding in with their grandparents struck a channel marker in the bay off Berkeley Township, according to police.
SEE ALSO | 2 children killed in NJ boat crash while riding with grandparents: Police
"As far as channel markers go, they're there for navigational aids and to assist boaters be mindful of them and pay attention to where they are," said New Jersey State Police Sgt. First Class Karen Fahy.
Boating safety experts say familiarity with local waterways is critical before heading out on the water.
Lewis Donovan, captain of Safety First Boating School, said channel markers can take different forms.
"There's ones on tripods, single poles. There's some that float in the water -- they're can buoys and nun buoys -- so they're a little harder to see. You typically see them from a few hundred yards away," Donovan added.
Donovan said awareness, speed and weather or water conditions all play a role in boating safety, particularly after dark.
"Night driving, you shouldn't do it unless you know the area and the boat is set up properly," Donovan said.
Both fatal crashes occurred at night.
New Jersey State Police said the incidents remain under investigation.
