Rental company operator pleads guilty to charges from fatal 2016 OC boating accident

The operator of Ocean City Water Sports LLC has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the August 2016 boating accident death of a 9-year-old New Jersey boy.

Online court records show that Tyler Barnes, 33, pleaded guilty on failing to have required equipment on a vessel, failure to keep records and renting an improperly equipped vessel. Barnes was ordered to pay a fine on each charge.

A charge of negligent operation of a vessel was dropped.

Officials say 17 people were on board a pontoon boat rented from Ocean City Watersports LLC when 9-year-old Kaden Frederick of Howell, N.J. fell from the boat's bow, was sucked between the pontoons and struck by the engine's propeller.