Fishing Boat Survivor Describes Final Moments

The sole survivor of a deadly commercial fishing boat accident off the Jersey shore says it was a routine trip until it felt like there was a collision.

Crewman Trevor Horan tells The Press of Atlantic City conditions were calm as the Mandy Ness cruised about 10 miles off Long Beach Island Tuesday night. Then the 22-year-old says the vessel got “knocked over” and “water just started rushing in” as the 44-foot vessel capsized.

Horan estimated he and Capt. Jim Mears spent 45 minutes holding on to each other as the dark cabin filled with water until their sister vessel arrived.

Horan swam to the surface. A Coast Guard swimmer found Mears in the cabin and he was pronounced dead at a hospital.

The Coast Guard is investigating.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)