Long Beach Township, NJ (May 25, 2026) – On Monday evening, May 25, a boat struck a channel marker in Barnegat Bay off Long Beach Township and left six people injured. The crash happened around 5:45 p.m., according to New Jersey State Police.
Two people aboard were thrown into the water and suffered critical injuries. Four others who stayed on the vessel were hurt less seriously.
Witnesses said the impact happened without warning. Those still on the boat spent roughly 15 minutes attempting to pull the two people out of the bay before emergency units arrived. One of the people thrown overboard received CPR on the dock after the damaged vessel was brought to a marina in the Brant Beach section of Long Beach Township.
No other boats appear to have been involved. What caused the boat to hit the marker had not been confirmed at the time.
Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the wreck.
We hope all six people make a full recovery.
What Are Your Legal Options After a Boating Accident in Long Beach Township, NJ?
If you were hurt in a boating accident in New Jersey waters, you may have the right to seek compensation depending on the circumstances. Liability in watercraft crashes can involve the vessel’s operator, the boat’s owner, or another responsible party. New Jersey law requires boat operators to exercise reasonable care, and a failure to do so can form the basis of a personal injury claim.
Barnegat Bay is one of the most active recreational waterways in New Jersey, particularly during summer weekends and holiday periods. The bay stretches roughly 40 miles along the coast and borders communities including Toms River, Manahawkin, and Ship Bottom. Channel markers and navigational buoys are placed throughout the bay to guide vessels safely, and collisions with fixed markers can produce severe forces on passengers.
People thrown from a boat can suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, broken bones, or near-drowning complications. Those who remain aboard during a sudden impact may experience chest trauma, lacerations, or internal injuries that are not always visible right away.
A New Jersey personal injury attorney can review the specific details of a boating collision and help identify who may bear responsibility. In New Jersey, maritime and recreational boating cases can involve both state and federal rules, and an attorney familiar with these overlapping frameworks may be able to clarify which laws apply and what documentation matters most.
If you or someone you know was hurt in a boating collision along the New Jersey Shore, legal guidance can help clarify what options are available. At Rand Spear The Accident Lawyer, we have extensive experience working with injured individuals across New Jersey and helping them understand their legal options after a crash.
Contact Rand Spear The Accident Lawyer at 1-800-905-3425 to speak with our team about your situation.
Note: Our team of writers relies on various secondary sources to create this post, including local and state media outlets, police incident reports, social media platforms, and eyewitness accounts of serious accidents in Pennsylvania. If you notice any inaccuracies, please contact Rand Spear, The Accident Lawyer, immediately so we can correct the information and ensure the post reflects the most accurate details. Posts can also be removed upon request.
Disclaimer: The photos used in this post were not taken at this accident scene. All information in this post is informational and is not intended to be considered legal or medical advice. This post is not a solicitation for business.
Call or text (215) 985-2424 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
