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On January 10, a deadly fishing boat accident occurred in the waters off of Long Beach Island in Texas. The accident left the boat’s captain, James Mears, dead. He was taken by the coast guard to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center but tragically did not survive. A crew member, Trevor Horan, 22, survived the accident.
The 44 foot fishing boat was named the Mandy Ness and was travelling in calm waters near the shipping lines off the shore of Barnegat Light at the time of accident. Mr. Mears was a veteran sailor. He sent out a signal indicating distress when the boat capsized. It took the Coast Guard approximately forty-five minutes to arrive at the scene, and sadly only Mr. Horan survived.
The Coast Guard is now investigating the theory that a collision with another boat was the cause of the fatal accident. Mr. Horan has stated that he felt sensations that indicated a collision prior to the Mandy Ness capsizing. Investigators went to the Port of Houston on January 19 to conduct a dockside inspection of a large commercial vessel believed to have been in the same area as the Mandy Ness at the time of the accident. Using data from the automatic identification system, Coast Guard officials were able to determine which boats were near the Mandy Ness. Investigators reviewed ship records, inspected the hull, and interviewed crew members.
The maritime injury attorneys at Vujasinovic & Beckom, P.L.L.C. extend their condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Mears following this tragic accident.
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