Body Recovered in Bay off LBI

The body of a man has been recovered from Barnegat Bay near Ship Bottom, New Jersey State Police said this evening.

At approximately 8:20 p.m., a passing boater discovered the man floating upside down near an unoccupied personal water craft in a channel running parallel to the shoreline near the Route 72 causeway, said Sgt. Julian Castellanos of the State Police.

Authorities were at the Ship Bottom municipal boat ramp Friday night after reportedly recovering the body. An officer at the scene confirmed an incident, but did not elaborate.

Ship Bottom police blocked off the entrance to the boat ramp area, which is located just south of the eastbound lanes of Route 72. A New Jersey State Police boat moved slowly toward the dock around 8:45 p.m. and tied up before an ambulance arrived.

A helicopter also hovered over the boat ramp area, but did not land and did not activate a spotlight. A number of police vehicles remained at the scene at 10:30 p.m.

An ID of the man is pending, said Castellanos. The State Police Marine Barracks in Point Pleasant is investigating the incident.