Robin Bets of Bangor, PA, was shad fishing this past weekend in the waters around Belvedere, NJ. It is reported that he was attempting to free his anchor and the boat dipped and started taking on water causing it to capsize. He was an avid angler and loved fishing for shad in the Delaware. His wife Kathy said, "He died doing what he liked, well what he loved, well before his time".
If you've been on the Delaware River in a boat and have thrown an actor then you know this could happen to you. I've run drift boats on the Upper Delaware and a jet boat, and the Jones, mid-river in the tidal and non-tidal sections. Needless to say I have much respect for the river, mostly because I have messed up a few times which caused my anal sphincter to pucker.
Current, type of anchor, length of rope, flotations, and most importantly a knife hen things go sideways are things to have and consider. At the the end of the day, after you have pulled, motored up and over, and done just about everything to free yourself it pays to just cut your loses and let it go. A boat, even. drift boat, get be dipped down in the front which can swamp the boat, or, if you're in bigger current, cause the boat to swing wildly from side to side, and either throw you, or dip down on one of the sides.
It's sad when you hear about things things on the river. Just a quick thought, that's two guys who've died this year, Betts, and Howard Bennet of the Camden Fire Department who died in February. Sadly, there will be more this year. Respect the river. Wear your floatation device. Have a plan and let someone know it. And have your safety stuff with you. You just never know when things will go sideways.