Recent Responses from the Mid-Atlantic Seaboard
This roundup summarizes recent Coast Guard and partner responses across the Mid-Atlantic seaboard, highlighting search and rescue operations, a fatal equipment accident, medevac operations, and multi-agency search efforts. Each report reflects the ongoing maritime safety work carried out by the Coast Guard, local fire and rescue units, and volunteer mariners.
FISHING BOAT AGROUND — The fishing boat Frieda Marie sits anchored and aground about 100 yards off Assateague Island, a National Park and National Seashore. Coast Guard Station Chincoteague initially responded after the boat ran aground.
Crane Operator Dies — Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia
The Coast Guard is investigating a crane accident at Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia, in which the crane operator lost his life. Local responders from the Smith Mountain Lake Marine Volunteer Fire and Rescue arrived after receiving a report of a submerged crane on private property. At the time of the incident, the crane had been mounted on a barge and was being used for dock reconstruction.
Authorities report the crane remains submerged in approximately 50 feet of water. The crane’s owner is coordinating a salvage plan to remove the equipment from the lake. The Coast Guard’s investigation is ongoing as of the report date (Oct. 7). Incidents involving heavy equipment on barges underline the hazards of marine construction and the complexity of underwater recovery operations.
Medevac from Fishing Vessel — 40 Miles Off Cape May, New Jersey
Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City medevaced a 38-year-old man from a 78-foot scallop vessel located about 40 miles off the coast of Cape May, New Jersey. Crewmembers aboard the Carolina Queen II, home-ported in Seaford, Virginia, reported that one of their crewmembers had fallen and sustained a head injury.
A rescue helicopter arrived on scene, hoisted the injured crewmember, and transported him to Air Station Atlantic City, where he was transferred to awaiting emergency medical personnel for further treatment (Oct. 9). This operation highlights effective coordination between commercial vessels and Coast Guard aircrews in remote, offshore medical emergencies.
Man Rescued Near Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel — Hampton Roads Sector
Coast Guard crews located and rescued a man whose boat capsized near a major regional tunnel crossing. A Virginia Beach 911 dispatcher reported a man calling from his capsized boat and referencing the “first island” of a local bridge-tunnel. Using that information and other location clues, watchstanders determined the caller was actually near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.
Multiple agencies and units deployed to the area, including Norfolk Fire Rescue marine units and Coast Guard stations from Portsmouth and Little Creek. Search efforts also involved Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina. An MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter crew located the mildly hypothermic man, hoisted him to safety, and transported him to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital for medical evaluation and care (Oct. 11).
Four Rescued after Vessel Loses Steering — 32 Miles East of Barnegat Light, New Jersey
An 80-foot clamming vessel lost steering and began taking on water 32 miles east of Barnegat Light. The vessel’s crew issued a call for assistance, prompting an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast. A fishing vessel, Star Light, responded as a good Samaritan and towed the distressed vessel and its crew to safety in Atlantic City.
Coast Guard Station Manasquan Inlet and Air Station Atlantic City also launched assets to assess the situation and stand by if additional assistance was required. The quick response by a fellow mariner combined with Coast Guard coordination helped avoid a more serious outcome (Oct. 22).
Search Suspended for Missing Boater — Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania
The Coast Guard suspended search efforts for a 21-year-old man who went missing after a 15-foot boat capsized in the Delaware River near Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania. The initial report came from the tugboat Timothy McAllister, which reported the submerged small boat. Members of Delaware Environmental later spoke with a man who swam ashore at the Chester Boat Ramp and said he had been aboard the capsized 15-foot boat; his friend was unaccounted for.
Search and rescue operations involved coordinated resources: an aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, a boat crew from Coast Guard Station Philadelphia, and the Coast Guard cutter Finback out of Cape May, New Jersey. Local partners including Delaware County Fire and Rescue, New Jersey State Police, Tinicum Fire and Rescue, and the Chester Police Department also assisted in the search. Despite extensive efforts, the search was ultimately suspended on Oct. 30.