(06/30/06) POINT PLEASANT ? Two fishermen were killed Thursday night in an apparent boat collision off the Manasquan coastline.

After an overnight search by the Coast Guard, the two bodies were discovered early Friday morning. Searchers recovered the missing fishermen in the sunken hull of the Alex Mac, which was found about six miles offshore. Two others aboard the scallop boat were able to jump from the 64-foot vessel and survive.

Rescuers say the deceased fishermen did not appear to have struggled before their death. Investigators believe a collision between the Alex Mac and a barge is to blame for the incident. A former commercial fisherman in the area says the accident highlights the profession?s dangers.