TOMS RIVER, New Jersey — A boat collision with a channel marker in Barnegat Bay resulted in one fatality and three injuries on Saturday night.
Ocean County Sheriff’s officers confirmed that a 26-year-old man was killed when his vessel struck a solid steel channel marker. The marker is maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard and is equipped with a functioning flashing red light.
Witnesses reported the boat failed to stay within the channel. Officers highlighted the dangers posed by the collision, emphasizing that the impact can be likened to crashing a car into a telephone pole.
New Jersey State Police are investigating the incident and noted that this crash marks the second similar accident in Ocean County within a week. Previously, two children were killed in a separate incident involving a boat striking a channel marker.
Authorities are reminding boaters of the risks posed by speed and distractions while navigating at night. “Decrease your speed; there’s no reason to go that fast when your perception has changed because the sun has gone down,” said Karen Fahy of the New Jersey State Police.
Emergency response units were deployed to the scene, and towing services were on site to remove the damaged vessel. Further details regarding potential causes are under investigation.