A 77-foot-long boat that washed ashore Friday near Jenkinson's North Inlet Beach and remained stuck at Point Pleasant Beach has sunk in the ocean, according to boaters in the area.
News 12 New Jersey previously reported the Susan Rose boat was removed from the shore. Crews from Northstar Marine attempted to drag the boat back into water but found themselves in danger minutes later.
Phil Risko, from Northstar Marine, told News 12 that just before crews attempted to tow the vessel, they checked the compartments and all were dry. Pumps were on standby. Minutes after the boat was pulled into the water, it listed from a catastrophic hull failure, according to Risko.
The boat now sits in 50 feet of water about a mile offshore. Risko confirmed with News 12 that crews pumped out 6,500 gallons of diesel fuel. He says it's not uncommon for leftovers to spill from a sunken vessel.
What happens next?
Risko says he is in touch with the insurance company and the commercial owners of the Susan Rose. There will likely not be any new activity for the remainder of the day.
News 12 reached out to the Department of Environmental Protection to find out about any environmental concerns. The DEP said that is an issue for the Coast Guard.
News 12 reached out to Coast Guard and is waiting to hear back.