Michelle K ~2004~

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While conducting some research on the Manasquan Inlet for the blogpost concerning the lost “Kayaker”, I came along these photos of the “Michelle K” incident that happened in 2004...


Chief Diver Chet Nesley advised me that he was at the inlet when the Michelle K incident occurred and witnessed the clam boat running up to the South seawall of the inlet. Reports indicated that the Michelle K first struck the North jetty and then veered South ending up alongside the seawall.


Nesley stated that he was at the South seawall and saw the Michelle K veer across the inlet heading towards the seawall that had numerous fishermen at that time. He then warned the Fishermen of the impending impact and then helped the crew of the Michelle K as they exited the boat. Nesley then called back to the Dive Team that was gathering for a scheduled meeting and advised them of the incident and pending boat sinking in the inlet.





This resulted in a full response by the Point Pleasant Rescue Dive Team, the Point Pleasant First Aid team, the Fire Department, Police department, and Manasquan Inlet Coast Guard.


The Dive Team inspected the hull of the boat to determine the amount of damage and proper steps to secure the vessel to prevent further damage. They advised that the rigger should be tied off to keep the clam boat from rolling to far once the tide went out…


Following is a short report that appeared in a local paper:
Monday, October 04, 2004 The Sinking and Raising of the Michelle K
This is a picture taken of the Michelle K yesterday, after she was raised from the waters of the Manasquan Inlet. (I believe she is a clam boat.) Last week, as she was coming into the inlet, she hit the Northern Jetty and then proceeded across the inlet and sank in front of the parking lot on the Point Pleasant side. The Columbia was used to pump the water out of the Michelle K and raise her from the depths, while two tug boats kept the Columbia in position so she could do her job. This is all the information I have as of right now; most of it coming from my hubby and the talk down at the inlet. I'll keep you posted as I get more info!


Additional Copyrighted photos appear on the following website:

http://artseaphotos.com/photo_gallery1.htm

Coast Guard "Full Service" Charity Car Wash...

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The Manasquan Coast Guard Station had a charity Car wash this past weekend that attracted much attention from visitors to the Inlet on a popular weekend...

This highly visible location tends to attract much attention and is a good place for public functions such as a carwash and the likes... It also tends to attract just about anything that can climb over the sea wall and rustle up some spare change for a good washing...

The crew at the Coast Guard Station were good sports and took the time to clean up some of the locals before releasing them back into the Inlet...

Members and Crews of Coast Guard Station Manasquan, "Thank-You for your service to our country and community"...

Missing "Kayaker" recovered outside of inlet...

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The Kayaker reported missing last week in the Point Pleasant Beach N.J. area last week was recovered about 1.5 miles northeast of Mannasquan Inlet after being reported by a transient boater.

The Point Pleasant Rescue Dive Team was requested by local authorities to search the jetties after the kayak was found approximately 9 miles offshore and found the entry point as reported.

The Asbury Park Press had the following story:
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070918/NEWS/709180324

"The body of 52-year-old Frank D'Alessandro, a Florida real estate broker who had been reported missing since he went kayaking off Point Pleasant Beach last week, was found floating in the Atlantic Ocean near the Manasquan Inlet on Monday morning, authorities confirmed Monday night.
The county medical examiner ruled Monday evening that the death was accidental and the cause was asphyxia due to drowning, according to a statement from Ocean County Prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford."

This story also cross-posted at RightsideVA blog: http://rightsideva.blogspot.com/2007/09/missing-kayaker-recovered-mannasquan.html

Point Pleasant Seafood Festival ~2007~...

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Busy weekend with the Seafood Festival and annual Tube-race held in Point Pleasant. The Dive Team provided support and assistance once again during the event and was welcomed by many...

Dive Team support was positioned all along the beach, in the water, and on the water in the form of "Rescue 34" beyond the surf zone...

Entry into and past the surf zone provided some interesting photos and reactions to some of the "newer" tubers...

Exiting the course thru the surf-zone also provided some interesting photos and reactions by the crowd on the beach...

The Dive Team provided numerous (Five) assists to participants who required assistance in exiting the surf once it was determined "Victory" was pretty much eliminated from the available options...

Congratulations to the members of the Point Pleasant Dive Team on their tenth anniversary...




Both the Team and the blogmaster just don't know what to say about this photo...

Search for "Kayaker" off Point Pleasant...

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The Dive Team responded to a request from the Mannasquan Coast Guard station to assist in searching for a missing person last seen kayaking off the Point Pleasant beach.

Team Captain Chet Nesley provided the following information for this post and photos were provided by Flo Melo who also included the link to the Asbury Park Press story:
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070913/NEWS/70913106

FYI
The dive team was called out by the coast guard station manasquan inlet today. To help look for a missing kayaker. The kayaker left the beach in point and was never seen again.
We had a good place to start cause you could still see the drag marks in the sand were he put the kayak in the water. It was off new york ave in the beach.
We did a surf line swim for 500yards up current from that point, we had 25 feet of vis. so it was easy going for the divers. We moved the search to the inlet and did a complete search above and below. But came up with nothing.
Will let you know if anything comes up.

Asbury Park Press coverage:

POINT PLEASANT BEACH — Coast Guard officials continue to search for a missing kayaker, who has been identified as a prominent developer from Fort Myers, Fla., who recently has been plagued by lawsuits.Frank D'Alessandro, 52, went missing Wednesday. The Coast Guard and the New Jersey State Police Marine Services Bureau began their search for him off of Point Pleasant Beach after a family member called authorities because he failed to meet her for a scheduled lunch date.

On Wednesday, the Coast Guard received the missing report about D'Alessandro at 1:30 p.m. and a helicopter was on the scene three minutes later, according to Petty Officer Nyx Cangemi.Soon after, the crew discovered an overturned orange kayak about nine miles off shore, he said, adding that authorities have not confirmed that the kayak belonged to the missing boater.

Bonnie Lea up on the beach...

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Another Scallop boat has become victim of the season and this one ended up on the beach off of New York Avenue. Point Pleasant First aid team members responded but the Rescue Dive Team was not needed for this call...

The Captain reported that upon exiting Mannasquan Inlet he faced strong winds and decided to head back to the dock but lost power and steerage...

Asbury Park Press provided coverage at:
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070908/NEWS02/709080421/1070

"The Bonnie Lee's ill-fated ordeal began more than 12 hours earlier. Matthews said he took it out of the Manasquan Inlet and headed south, only to meet up with high winds. Because of the weather, he said he decided to turn around and head back to the inlet, but on the way back, the boat's motor failed.
"I lost power and ended up on the beach," he said.
Police and Coast Guard officials received word of a vessel with engine trouble about 2:30 a.m., and about five minutes later, the Bonnie Lee had washed up on the beach, police said.
Both agencies said that when the boat's motor stalled, the two men on board were unable to get the anchor out, and jumped off as the vessel washed ashore".

Photos provided by Dive Team member Flo Melo...