Videos provided by Jerry Rau.
CAPE MAY – The Coast Guard is investigating the cause of an accident that sunk a scallop boat April 28 six miles off Cape May.
The 42-foot scallop boat, Last Stand, homeported in Cape May, collided with a 78-foot tug, Dean Reinauer, from New York, that was pushing a 500-foot barge southeast of this city about 1 p.m. April 28. The scallop boat issued an electronic distress signal before being rescued by the Coast Guard. It sank within minutes of the collision.
The investigation into the accident is “standard” according to the Coast Guard, however, those on scene credit preparedness of the crew for their safe rescue.
“We are looking into the cause of the accident by conducting interviews of the crew of all vessels involved, gathering witness statements, obtaining track lines and speed of vessels, recorded radio transmissions, looking at fatigue factors, and also using the guidance set forth in COLREGS, navigational ‘rules of the road’,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class David Micallef, of the Atlantic City Coast Guard Public Affairs Detachment.
Because the incident involved commercial vessels and Coast Guard-licensed mariners, the investigations fall under its jurisdiction.
At this point, Micallef said “any sort of possible outcome would be speculation at this point.”
The charter boat Sea Star III, also from Cape May, heard the distress call from the Last Stand while fishing in the vicinity.
Capt. Charles Hackett told clients to reel in their lines and motored less than a mile to render assistance.
“We didn’t see the accident, but we were in close proximity to the collision,” Hackett said noting his boat was first on the scene. “As we got there, we saw the raft being put out by one of the crew members. I hollered out to find out how many people were on the boat and all three were safe on the raft.”
“We reeled up and shot over there,” passenger and fisherman Jerry Rau, of Churchville, Pa., said. Rau shot cell phone video of the Last Stand’s final minutes, including its sinking and the Coast Guard rescue.
“I’m told there were eight to 10 minutes from the time of the collision to the time the boat sank,” Rau noted. “It was amazing to see, despite the pouring rain.” The scalloper’s stern (rear) was low in the water and its bow had hull damage as it rocked in the waves.
“It was a helluva fishing experience,” he added noting that he and the others on the fishing boat only caught a “couple of keepers.”
After telling scallopers that the Coast Guard was notified and on its way to the scene, Hackett said they kept an eye on the raft. “If the situation had been more dire, we possibly could have been able to help, but I did not want to intervene because they were in good shape. They were wearing survival suits so we just kept with them. I had a boat full of passengers and didn’t want to do anything to harm them,” Hackett said.
Hackett said this was the first time he had been involved in a situation like this. “They were very lucky because they seemed to be prepared,” he said.
The Last Stand capsized, rolled starboard (right) and disappeared beneath the water in a matter of seconds.
“When it rolled, it rolled over fast and hard. It took under a minute to go down,” Hackett said.
The Coast Guard’s registry lists the boat’s owner as Andy Young, of Middle Township. He could not be reached for comment.
A Coast Guard patrol boat from Station Cape May pulled the three men aboard safely. No one was injured.
Hackett said marine towing agent Sea Tow also arrived, but by then the boat had sunk.
After the rescue, the tug continued its voyage up Delaware Bay toward Philadelphia.
Those on the scene credited the preparedness of the scallopers with their safety and rescue.
Micallef said the Coast Guard has many tips for safe boating and preparedness and offered seven as key:
- Get a free vessel safety examination from a nearby Coast Guard Auxiliary to ensure all of the required safety equipment is aboard before departing.
- Leave a “Float Plan” with someone, and go over details of the boat and what to expect on the trip with your guests.
- Take a fully charged handheld or mounted VHF radio on every trip. This is the most effective way to call for assistance because a cell phone can run out of battery life or not reach a cell tower as there are none at sea.
- Find a life jacket that is comfortable. Putting on a life jacket during an emergency is like putting on a seat belt during an automobile crash.
- Check the weather before departing and know the boat’s limitations and understand that weather can change almost instantly.
- Go slow, particularly when docking. Boats don’t have brakes so be extra cautious.
- Drinking and driving a boat has the same rules and carries the same punishments as drinking and driving a car.
To contact Karen Knight, email kknight@cmcherald.com.
