The Star-Ledger spent months investigating the sinking of a Cape May-based scallop boat that left six dead and spared just one crew member. This five-chapter series was printed in a 20-page special Sunday Star-Ledger section.

“The Lady Mary left the Port of Cape May on the morning of March 18, 2009 on a routine scallop fishing trip. The vessel with it's crew of seven traveled 66 miles to the restricted scallop fishing area known as the Elephant Trunk. Some time between 5:10 and 5:40 a.m. on March 24, the boat sank and six of the seven crewman were killed. Jose Arias was asleep below deck when the accident occurred, managed to put his survival suit on, and was rescued. He has no idea what sent the Lady Mary 211 feet to the bottom of the ocean. Was it swamped in rough seas? Or did a passing container ship strike the boat without ever knowing it? After months of reporting the Star-Ledger has tried to uncover the mystery of the wreck of the Lady Mary.”

Chapter 1 - Mystery shrouds fatal scallop boat sinking

Chapter 2 - Costly clerical error stalls rescue efforts

Chapter 3 - Worst fears are realized, six men lost at sea

Chapter 4 - A behemoth enters the fishing grounds

Chapter 5 - A case of high seas hit-and-run?

Watch The Wreck of the Lady Mary Documentary on NJ.com