Coast Guard Probes Deadly NJ Fishing Boat Accident

Jim Mears & his son Jason (Facebook)

The Coast Guard plans a dockyard inspection in Houston Thursday of another vessel as part of its investigation into a deadly fishing boat accident off the New Jersey shore.

Capt. Jim Mears died and a crewman was rescued after the Mandy Ness capsized about ten miles off Long Beach Island on Jan. 10.

The crewman said he believed the 44-foot vessel was “knocked over” in a collision.

Coast Guard Capt. Meredith Austin says the Coast Guard boarded a commercial vessel off the coast of Virginia the day after the accident and determined it was in the vicinity of the stricken boat.

Austin says the Coast Guard will interview crew members in Texas.

The Coast Guard is not releasing the name of the commercial vessel due to the ongoing investigation.

 (Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)