Crew Safe After Point Pleasant Beach-Based 'Lady Gertrude' Sinks 40 Miles Off Sandy Hook

It was supposed to be a routine trip.

The 78-foot commercial fishing boat Lady Gertrude chugged out of Manasquan Inlet on Sunday night, headed for the Chicken Canyon, about 40 miles off the coast of Sandy Hook to fish for scallops, according to app.com.

But at 2 a.m., something went very wrong. The Point Pleasant Beach-based boat's hull started filling with water.

The three-member crew - Capt. Erik Mykelbust of Brick and two other crew members - were rescued by the Mazey James, an 85-foot commercial boat also based in Point Pleasant Beach. The Mazey James was just five miles away from the stricken Lady Gertrude. Capt. Brandon McCarthy heard the distress call and immediately set out.

“When Brendon got there the crew was already in the lifeboat,” said Capt. Jimmy Elliott who co-owns the Mazey James, with McCarthy.

"They would have done the same for us,” said Elliott. “I’m just glad everyone got back safe and sound.”

The Lady Gertrude sank in about 130 feet of water. The cause of the sinking is under investigation.

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Photo credit: fisherynation.com