Friends of Fisherman Await News of Survivors

CAPE MAY – Friends and family members of crew members of the Lady Mary, a 71-foot scallop boat that sunk early Tuesday about 75-miles off the Jersey coast gathered at Cold Spring Docks at the Lobster House during the day hoping for word of survivors.
They were also waiting to see if the boat’s owner, Roy “Fuzzy” Smith would come to the docks. Some of those gathered believed he may have been headed for Atlantic City where two victims were taken.
West Cape May resident Barbara Matthews was concerned her cousin Brian Jones may have gone out on the boat but found out about 2 p.m. he had not taken the trip. She said the men aboard the boat were church members of Christ Gospel and First Baptist churches of Whitesboro.
Another friend, who wished to remain anonymous, said the men were generous often giving away part of their catch.
James Hodges was waiting on shore. He said he had worked on the Lady Mary for three years having made his last trip in February.
Hodges said when a boat with one dredge that makes two or three drags, all the scallops accumulate on one side of the vessel along with the dredge, so when a big wave hits, it can turn over the boat from all the weight being one side.
He described the Lady Mary as being top heavy. Hodges said 16,000 to 17,000 pounds of scallops could be on board along with a 5-ton dredge.
Hodges said Jose Ariese, who survived the sinking, slept with his survival suit under his bed. He said each man had a survival suit but when a boat turns over, there may not be time to put it on.
Hodges said he slept with his survival suit under his bed as well. He said men sleeping at the bottom of boat would “catch hell getting off” the boat.
“They’re good fisherman, I worked with them over 20 years,” he said.
The Lady Mary left Cape May Friday March 20, said Hodges.
He said he believed Smith’s son, Roy Smith Jr., the captain of the Lady Mary, was on board along with with his brother “Timbo” and an uncle, Bernie.
Hodges said survival suits were often kept in the bottom of the boat and crew members may have not been able to get to them. He said suits could prevent hypothermia for six to eight hours.