Key Point:
• The Jersey Shore has over 170,000 registered boats along more than 130 miles of coastline, and most boating accidents result from operator error.
• Serious injuries occur when a boat capsizes, collides, strikes a submerged object, or runs aground, because occupants are usually not restrained.
• A boating injury claim generally must be filed within two years under N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2, with shorter deadlines if a government vessel or public entity is involved.
Roughly 30% of Ocean and Monmouth County is water, and the Jersey Shore has been called a boater's paradise. New Jersey has over 170,000 registered boats along more than 130 miles of coastline, with popular waterways including Raritan Bay, the Navesink and Shrewsbury Rivers, the Manasquan River, Barnegat Bay, the Metedeconk River, Toms River, and Bass River. When a day on the water goes wrong, the boat accident attorneys at Villani & DeLuca, P.C. can help.
Jersey Shore Lawyers with Boating Experience
The NJ Boat Accident Attorneys at Villani & DeLuca are boating operators and therefore have a unique understanding of how handling a boat requires specific knowledge of maritime rules and procedures. They are also intimately familiar with how boating accidents often occur. The majority of boating accidents are a result of operator error. Often the operator is inexperienced, not paying attention, traveling too fast or has consumed too much alcohol. In the event that you were charged with DWI for boating while intoxicated in New Jersey, our DWI attorneys can help!
Boating Accidents in New Jersey
Boating accidents can have serious consequences because occupants are typically not restrained. Serious injuries can occur when a boat capsizes, collides with an object in the water, strikes a submerged object, or runs aground. According to U.S. Coast Guard data, there are over 100 boating accidents a year in New Jersey.
Monmouth County and Ocean County Marinas
There are a number of marinas in northwestern Monmouth County, including Olsen Boat Works, Hans Peterson and Sons, Browns Point Marina, Keyport Marine Basin and Seaboard Marine. In Sandy Hook Bay there are a number of marinas as well, including Monmouth Cove Marina, Leonardo State Marina, Atlantic Highlands Marina, Sandy Hook Bay Marina, Captain's Cove Marina, Baker's Marina on the Bay, Twin Lights Marina, Gateway Marina, Bar's Landing Marina, Oceanview Marina, Fairbanks Marina, Oceanic Marian, Barnacle Bill's Marina and Fair Haven Yacht Works.
In the Shark River area you will also find the following marinas: Shark River Municipal Marina, Shark River Beach and Yacht Club Marina, Shark River Yacht Club, Belmar Marina, Main One Marina and AP's Inlet Marina. In the Manasquan River area, there is Lightning Jack's Marina, Manasquan River Club Marina, Crystal Point Yacht Club, McCarthy's Marine, Point Pleasant Yacht and Fishing Club, Clark's Landing Marina, Garden State Marina, Brielle Yacht Club Marina, Brielle Marine Basin, Hoffman's Marina, Southside Marine, Ken's Landing Marine, Brielle Anchorage, Drawbridge Marina and Robinson's Anchorage.
In the Navesink and Shrewsbury River area there is the Cove Sail Marina, Angler's Marina, Surfside Marina, Navesink Marina, Wharfside Marina, Channel Club Marina, Patten Point Yacht Club, Baker's Landing Marina, the Marina at Marina Bay, Oceanport Landing, Pleasure Bay Yacht Basin, Molly Pitcher Inn and Marine, Red Bank Marina and Chris' River Plaza Marine.
How We Handle Boat Accident Cases
We move quickly to preserve evidence and determine why the accident happened, work through the maritime and insurance issues that make these cases different from a car crash, and pursue the compensation you are owed.
Client Testimonial
"Carmine is a great lawyer and my case was resolved in a minimal amount of time. Even during a pandemic, he responded quickly to any questions and concerns I had. I highly recommend him and his firm. Thank you so much Carmine!" – Karina Testa
"Great team and a pleasure to work with. Extremely happy I decided to move forward with Villani and Deluca. Definately reccomend this firm." – Sarah Gutman
"Was super helpful and I could not have wished for a better outcome ..very thankful I acquired their services" – Michael Ryan
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after a boat accident?
The moments following an incident on the water can be chaotic, but taking specific steps can protect both your safety and your legal rights. First, check for injuries and ensure everyone is wearing a life jacket. If there is significant damage or injury, you are required by law to report the accident to the New Jersey State Police Marine Services Bureau. Collect the names, contact information, and insurance details of all operators involved. If possible, take photos of the vessels, the surrounding water conditions, and any visible injuries. Finally, consult a boat injury lawyer before providing a recorded statement to any insurance company.
Who is held responsible for injuries sustained in a boating accident?
Liability in boat accidents usually rests on the person whose negligence caused the collision or injury. This is often the vessel operator, but it could also include the boat owner (if they allowed an inexperienced person to operate the craft) or a manufacturer if a mechanical failure occurred. In 2026, New Jersey courts placed a higher emphasis on "distracted boating," holding operators liable if digital devices or integrated navigation screens were found to be a primary distraction at the time of the crash.
What if I were injured as a passenger on a friend's boat?
Passengers have a right to safety regardless of their relationship with the operator. If your friend or family member operated the boat recklessly, such as by speeding, failing to look out for other vessels, or ignoring weather warnings their boat insurance policy should cover your medical bills and pain and suffering. Many people are hesitant to sue a friend, but it is important to remember that the claim is filed against the insurance company, not the individual's personal bank account.
How long do I have to file a claim for a boating injury?
In New Jersey, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit under the statute of limitations. However, if the accident involved a government-owned vessel or occurred on certain federal waters, the deadlines can be significantly shorter. Failing to file the appropriate "Notice of Claim" within the required timeframe, which can be as short as 90 days for some public entities, will result in the permanent loss of your right to compensation.
Can I recover money if I wasn't wearing a life jacket?
New Jersey follows a "comparative negligence" rule. While the defense may argue that your failure to wear a life jacket contributed to the severity of your injury, it does not automatically bar you from recovery. As long as the other party was more than 50% at fault for causing the accident itself, you can still receive a settlement. Your total compensation would simply be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to your own actions.
Victim of a Jersey Shore Boating Accident?
In the event that you are the unfortunate victim of a boating accident, you should immediately report the accident to the police or coastal authorities. Thereafter, you should contact our experienced NJ Boat Accident Attorneys to learn about your rights. The boating accident attorneys at Villani & DeLuca will be able to analyze your case and assist you in preserving any evidence in determining why the accident occurred. The boating accident lawyers at Villani & DeLuca offer free initial consultations. In the unfortunate event that you have been involved in a boating accident at the Jersey Shore please call today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.
The Bottom Line
If you are the victim of a boating accident, report it to the police or coastal authorities, then contact our experienced boat accident attorneys to learn about your rights. We will analyze your case and help preserve the evidence needed to determine why the accident occurred. Call today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.
About the Firm: Villani & DeLuca, P.C. represents boating and personal injury victims throughout Ocean and Monmouth Counties, New Jersey.
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Trusted Resources
- New Jersey State Police, Marine Services Bureau: https://www.nj.gov/njsp/division/operations/marine-services.shtml
- United States Coast Guard, Boating Safety: https://www.uscgboating.org/
- New Jersey Legislature, N.J.S.A. 2A:14-2 (Personal Injury Statute of Limitations): https://law.justia.com/codes/new-jersey/title-2a/section-2a-14-2/
- Villani & DeLuca, P.C., Legal Glossary: https://www.villanideluca.com/resources/legal-glossary