Brick woman killed when boat capsizes in Barnegat Bay

[Reel Time]

Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 07/5/07

BERKELEY — The State Police Marine Bureau is investigating a fatal boating accident that killed a 32-year-old Brick Township woman, who was one of a party of eight in a small boat that capsized in Barnegat Bay off Butler Boulevard about 8:20 p.m. Wednesday.

Trooper Sgt. Dave Maruca, assistant division commander of the State Police Point Pleasant Marine Bureau said the death of Tammy Abrams, 32, of Brick, is being investigated. A total of eight people, including three children were on the boat, which was either an 18- or 20-foot center console vessel.
Maruca said the winds were estimated to be about 30 to 35 miles per hour at the time of the accident. The investigation will include the size of the boat, the weight capacity it was able to hold and the water conditions.

The boat was about 100 yards off Butler Boulevard, when it was hit by two waves which caused it to take on water and overturn, said Lt. Gerald Lewis.

The boat was owned and operated by Joseph Martinez of Toms River, Lewis said.

The group of eight was tossed into the water and were rescued by Harold Fritz, of the Bayville section of Berkeley who used his vessel to rescue the people from the water, Lewis said.

The individuals were taken to shore on Fritz's vessel, Lewis said.

Abrams was taken to Community Medical Center in Toms River by the Bayville First Aid Squad. An autopsy will be conducted today.

The investigation could take several days, even months to complete, Maruca said

[IrishAyes]

So sad.  You can't fear the water, but you do have to respect it and the dangers that it presents.  My thought go out to the family.

[fishon42]

Thats terrible, my thoughts also go out to the family and freinds.

[ped579]

I agree, My prayers go out to family and friends that survived.  What a shame.

Paul

[mboy]

That is terrible, but completely avoidable.

My 21'CC is rated for 7 people.
Their will never be more then 5 on it.

8 is crazy!

[Ruger314]

Its but very avoidable.. tragic loss!! I've seen boats overloaded all week because of fireworks!!. I also know that they never have enough PFD's for all on the boat..

If you read that article.. several months to for the answers//whats is that about!!!

[IrishAyes]

My Parker is rated for 15 people.  But with all the fat azzez on my boat, there will never be more than 6.  Also makes it too crowded to fish with more than 6.
The CG rating is ancient, they figure one person at 140-160 pounds.  They are changing that to 185, if not done so already.

[IrishAyes]

Joey, They will do toxicology tests.  They send that out to the lab and I have experienced that it usually take at least six weeks to get the results back.

[Reel Time]

 you have a ratign of so many people or so much wieght. like mine is 8 people or 1675lbs, which is to include gear, people, and i think fuel

[IrishAyes]

That is correct Reel Time.  You can have two people on board and be over capacity if you have a lot of equipment, etc.

[fishon42]

Agree'd my father has a little 14 foot boat with a 15 horse power motor, it holds a maximum of 6 people or 1200 pounds, but he would never take more than 2, maybe 3 others on the boat



Fish On

[Luna Sea 5]

prayers go out over here always

[sealife]

Yes we have a house on Butler Blvd and there were more emergency vehicles last night then I knew existed in all of Berkley Twp.

On the boat safety side the capacity of the boat includes motor, gas, batteries, all gear plus the people.  I can not belive that a 20 ft center console was not overloaded for the weather conditions.  They were lucky someone saw them capsize and could lend assistance.

[mboy]

It was overloaded for flat, lake like conditions.