Federal Authorities Investigate Ship Washed Up On NJ Shore

A mysterious boat washing ashore in New Jersey has launched a federal investigation, raising questions and sparking intrigue in the local community.

The vessel in question, a 32-foot 1984 Bayliner cabin cruiser named the Linda T., was discovered Monday morning by the Shrewsbury River in Sandy Hook, unmanned and bearing visible damage to its port side and mooring line. Now, authorities from the National Park Service (NPS) and the U.S. Coast Guard are working together to unravel the mystery of how the boat ended up grounded on the shore.

According to reports, the Linda T., registered in New York, had been spotted drifting through the icy waters of Sandy Hook Bay over the weekend, attracting the attention of concerned onlookers. By Monday at 10 a.m., the vessel had run aground near the Gateway National Recreation Area, prompting a response from a law enforcement ranger. The investigation officially began shortly thereafter.

Daphne Yun, spokesperson for the National Park Service, confirmed the ongoing inquiry. “There is an open investigation into the circumstances of the vessel’s grounding,” Yun stated, adding that efforts are underway to safely remove the abandoned boat.

Meanwhile, Coast Guard Petty Officer Second Class Sydney Phoenix emphasized that preventing pollution is a key priority: “Though there has been no pollution reported from this vessel yet, our primary focus is removing any threat of future pollution of oil or hazardous substances to the marine environment now that the vessel is aground in the sand.”

Local residents and online commenters wasted no time speculating about the strange sight. One Facebook user quipped, “First drones, and now ghost ships. I love NJ!”—a nod to the enduring allure of unexplained maritime discoveries.

While the Linda T. investigation remains shrouded in mystery, it’s not the first time an unusual vessel has captured the public’s attention. Just months ago, a massive $250 million superyacht created a similar stir in San Diego harbor.

Though the superyacht didn’t prompt federal involvement, its presence led to a flurry of online detective work, with Reddit users eventually identifying the 388-foot luxury ship as the Liva O. Built by the prestigious Abeking & Rasmussen, the yacht features state-of-the-art amenities, including an underwater Neptune lounge, a pool, a helicopter landing pad, and even a marble fireplace. Its sleek, black hull was designed by Joseph Dirand, who described the vessel as “timeless, elegant, pure, and classic.”

Unlike the abandoned Linda T., the Liva O. was meticulously accounted for and linked to Stephen Orenstein, son of the founder of the Supreme Group—a global supplier of food and fuel for defense forces. The yacht’s presence in San Diego sparked intrigue and admiration, but little mystery.

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