If you're on New Jersey related fishing social media accounts long enough you'll eventually see the same faces from time to time. One of those faces was of Karl Chen, a physician
from Princeton. I don't know how many people he saw as a Doc (he had a very busy practice) because the guy fished ALL the time, and all year long.
He was just a fishy dude and especially liked fishing for striped bass. Every spring when we would come out of hibernation it was Chen who would be on the pages of Facebook holding an
early season bass. While not a fly fisherman I enjoyed seeing his pictures, and to be honest, at times, I zeroed in to see where he was having good luck. I never chased his spots as most of those outings involved a soak, or throwing lures with a spinning rod.
It was Sunday afternoon when I learned of a fatal boating accident in the Barnegat Bay down near Little Egg Harbor Township. I knew there was a small craft advisory for the ocean and most boaters would be in the bays following the passing Hurricane Erin this week. As I read various stories I learned it was Dr. Chen who was killed. While the details haven't been published early
reports state he and another passenger were thrown overboard and Chen was killed when his own boat, traveling in a circular path, struck and killed him. The other boater was rescued.
My first thoughts were how sad. My prayers went out to those involved and their families. Then I thought to myself, as always, "This could have happened to me". There's some speculation that they caught a wake from a passing boat that tossed them overboard, but that hasn't been confirmed. I am not sure if they were on a drift or under way, the investigation will determine the details.
And why could this have happened to me? Because I, like many other Captain's out there, don't routinely use the tethered kill switch keys and lanyard, or otherwise known as an ECOS - or engine cut-off switch. New Jersey, along with six other states, has had that law in the books for some time and in 2021 it became federal law for boats 26 feet and under and PWC, or personal watercraft. To note, Chen's Robalo was 27 feet long.
The idea of the ECOS is that the operator is tethered to the key and if there should be a mishap while underway the key on the tether causes the engine to shut off, stopping the boat. If not in place the boat, unmanned, can continue on it's path causing injury or death to other boaters and swimmers.
The above video made its way around social media a few years ago and shows what could happen without an ECOS. Luckily no one on that boat was killed or seriously injured.
Interestingly I am awaiting my third OUPV license to be issued by the United States Coast Guard. The OUPV, or "Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel", or commonly known as a "Captain's License" or "Six-Pack License" allows operators to legally carry passengers for hire. That includes charters for fishing (on any water), sightseeing, diving, transportation, teaching or any use considered "passenger for hire". Many charter operations, especially in the spring and fall, illegally charter people trying to offset the expenses of owning a boat and liking to buy fishing gear. If you haven't taken the Captain's license class it's a doozy, or at least it used to be. I first took it in 2012 and it was a four week class and in-person only.
While a Captain's license isn't needed on the Upper Delaware system to guide, guides there are required to have the various state guide license, an National Park Service permit to work, and the required insurances. I've seen many people attempt to say, "I'm just fishing with a friend", while trying to dodge the requirements and operate legally. It's kind of like saying, "We're fishing for bluefish", when fishing outside the 3 -mile line in the EEZ when the stripers are out of legal reach. When you pick a guide make sure they are appropriately licensed and insured.
When these things accidents happen I always feel bad for those involved and know it could be anyone of us who this cold happen to. I always learn from other's peoples tragedies and triumphs. I am sure they will say Chen died doing what he loved, it's all just to soon. RIP Karl Chen, dead at 56.