Beach Haven Maritime Museum Closes After Pipe Burst Floods Three Floors

The Museum of New Jersey Maritime History in Beach Haven shut down after a sprinkler pipe burst and flooded three floors on Feb. 9. Cold weather caused the break. The building at 528 Dock Road needs new flooring, walls, and ceilings.

"Aye, one moment last week we were shipshape … the next, the pipes let loose a geyser that would've made Old Faithful tip its hat. Water came surgin' down the hallways like a rogue wave tryin' to reenact The Perfect Storm, museum edition," the institution wrote in a Facebook post.

Staff rescued most artifacts, photographs, and documents. But several exhibits got damaged when water poured through rooms.

Gretchen F. Coyle, a maritime historian who writes for the Asbury Park Press, visited the site. "I was there Saturday and it is sickening to see rugs up, ceilings and drywalls torn down, and museum rooms or areas blocked off with heavy plastic and zipped up, full of heaters and dehumidifiers. Devastated exhibits and displays. All water damage has to dry first before repairs can be made," said Coyle to the the Asbury Park Press.

A large diorama showing a sea rescue operation took heavy damage. The piece, built 20 years ago, broke its electrical units that powered lights and moving parts. Workers will salvage it. They plan to use it again as an educational tool.

The nonprofit opened in 2007. It runs on donations with volunteer staff. Its collection includes prehistoric fossils, navigation equipment, and diving gear. One exhibit covers a 1916 shark attack outbreak at the Jersey Shore. Other displays feature scrimshaw, which are engravings whalers made on bone and ivory.

New Jersey's coast has recorded more than 4,800 shipwrecks and disasters. Most have been put into an online database maintained by the facility.

The organization has insurance but welcomes donations for recovery and reopening. As of Feb. 20, the nonprofit had raised more than $3,000.

An annual fundraiser is set for 3 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, at the facility. The event will include oldies music, food, basket and silent auctions, and a 50/50 drawing. Staff also welcomes donations of items and gift cards for the auctions.

Donations can be made at njmaritimemuseum.org. No timeline for reopening has been announced.