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A Coast Guard investigation into the fatal January 10 capsizing of the Mandy Ness off the coast of New Jersey continues. Special attention is being given to the possible involvement of a second boat.
The Mandy Ness, a fishing vessel, was in the vicinity of the busy shipping lanes of New York Harbor when it capsized. Captain Jim Mears and mate Trevor Horan were both aboard. Their boat began transmitting an automatic distress signal and the Coast Guard was alerted at 11:15 p.m.
The Coast Guard dispatched a helicopter and rescue boat to the location. Other fishermen also responded to the alert. The Frances Anne, a long line boat, rescued Horan. After a search, Coast Guard swimmers located Jim Mears, who was unresponsive. Resuscitation efforts were initiated on Mears. He was flown to the Atlanticare Regional Medical Center in Galloway, where he was pronounced dead.
Tuesday night, fishermen Peter Dolan and Ed Yates were near the scene of the accident. They said there was a great deal of shipping traffic that night, but would not comment on the possibility that a passing ship hit the Mandy Ness.
However, many commercial fishermen in the area fear this possibility. Yates said, “You always have to keep your eyes out.” The Coast Guard will thoroughly review data from their Automatic Identification System, which tracks vessel movements. Using this system, they will be able to determine where other ships and boats were the night of the deadly capsizing.
Commercial fishing has long been known as an extremely dangerous occupation. Safety has in fact improved in recent years, according to John O’Leary, a fisherman safety instructor. “It’s a big tragedy because everyone here knew him so well,” he said. “One thing about fishermen: we’ve all lost a lot of friends.”
The maritime lawyers at Vujasinovic & Beckcom extend their sympathy to Jim Mears’ loved ones and wish Trevor Horan a speedy recovery.
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