UPDATE: Boat Strike Closes Townsend’s Inlet Bridge; New Info Added

TOWNSEND’S INLET – A private sport fishing boat worth perhaps $1 million struck the Townsend’s Inlet Bridge Monday night, June 5, closing the bridge and prompting salvage efforts.
The 55-foot Viking fishing boat was recently purchased by its owner and was ported in Avalon.
According to Jack Moran, of Sea Tow Cape May, the new owner had not yet changed the name on the boat’s transom. Moran said the boat was to be named the “Mahalo,” the Hawaiian phrase meaning “thank you.” The boat was purchased from a Canadian owner.
The accident, which happened at around 11 p.m. June 5, caused the Townsend’s Inlet Bridge to be closed for vehicular traffic and marine traffic was restricted while responders reacted to the boat collision with the bridge.
The boat’s owner was attempting to make his way through the inlet with the boat acquired just days before. Boaters reacting to the wreck via social media said the inlet can be treacherous, especially for a boat with a wide beam.
As a result of the incident, Sea Isle City Police Department announced that the bridge would be closed to vehicular traffic while the bridge was evaluated. Likewise, marine traffic was restricted until the bridge was inspected the next morning.
The U.S. Coast Guard responded to the incident and no injuries were reported. About 1,200 gallons of diesel fuel was also recovered.
Moran said Sea Tow has responded to a number of larger pleasure or sport fishing boats recently.
“We responded to a 47-foot boat last week in Delaware Bay and the 33-foot sailboat at Cape May Inlet – both of those in the last two weeks,” Moran said.
Sea Tow was also involved in the recovery of a 65-foot vessel in Hereford Inlet in April 2022.
Moran said Sea Tow partners with Northstar Marine when heavy cranes are required. He said the 55-foot Viking was originally tied up at the Avalon Yacht Club before being moved to the Avalon Marine Center in Avalon Manor.