1 dead 4 missing Lady Mary sinks off cape may

(CNN) -- One person died and four were missing Tuesday after a boat sank off the New Jersey coast, a U.S. Coast Guard spokesman said.

The Lady Mary, a 71-foot-long fishing boat with seven people aboard, sank about 65 miles southeast of Cape May, at the southern tip of New Jersey, said the spokesman, Petty Officer Chris McLaughlin.

He said the Coast Guard began searching for the boat's passengers around 7:45 a.m. ET.

Three people were recovered, one of whom is dead, McLaughlin said. Their identities were not released.

The search includes helicopters and boats, he said.

It was not immediately clear what caused the boat to sink.

Cape May is about 40 miles southwest of Atlantic City, New Jersey.

omg, thats terrible, thanks for reporting.