MYFOXNY.COM – Coast Guard officials said a 19-foot-pleasure boat took on water near Ward Point just south of Staten Island Saturday afternoon, leaving one person dead.
via www.myfoxny.com
Boating accident leaves 1 dead in N.J.: MyFoxNY.com
This was a chilling bit of news. As Alice and I were coming back from our first sail of the season, there were Coast Guard boats and other official vessels in front of Raritan Yacht Club (situated at the Southern entrance to Arthur Kill).
No one at the club knew what was going on but we learned today that tragically, a group of guys were out fishing in a small boat that capsized. One drowned.
The conditions were fresh yesterday with winds gusting up to 20kts and cold enough to wear 2-3 layers. From what I can tell these guys were most likely in an overloaded boat (we see this often), probably without enough PFD’s and not properly clothed. It’s a real tragedy and reminded me of a Coastguard stat that most drownings are very close to shore and sadly like this, people falling out of a small boat.
My heart goes to the family of the poor guy who drowned.
It was a chastening reminder to wear a life-vest.
It was blowing down bay as well, and chilly too. Spooky to know that someone met that fate while we were enjoying ourselves.