Sandy Hook pilot dies after fall from containership

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The following is text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:

(STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.) — The Coast Guard responded with units from the New York Fire Department and New York Police Department Harbor Police to an incident where a Sandy Hook harbor pilot fell while boarding the merchant vessel Maersk Kensington at 4:30 a.m. Monday.

The pilot, who was transported to a hospital on Staten Island by a Sandy Hook pilot vessel, eventually succumbed to injuries suffered in the fall. The name of the deceased is being withheld until 24 hours after the next of kin have been notified.

The Coast Guard has begun an ongoing investigation into the circumstance surrounding the fall.

The following is a media alert from the Sandy Hook Pilots:

(STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.) — On Dec. 30 at approximately 0430, Sandy Hook Pilot Capt. Dennis R. Sherwood was involved in an incident while boarding a container vessel inbound to the Port of New York & New Jersey. He sustained injuries after falling from an accommodation ladder and was evacuated to a local hospital where his injuries proved to be fatal.

Prior to the incident, Capt. Sherwood had been piloting vessels in and out of the Port of New York & New Jersey for over 35 years. The incident is being investigated by the United States Coast Guard. Capt. Sherwood is survived by his wife Marianne Sherwood, daughter Kelly Sherwood (son-in-law Robert McBriar), son Dennis Sherwood (son-in-law Paul Caruso), son William Sherwood and daughter Alexis Sherwood.

By Professional Mariner Staff