Coast Guard suspends search for 2 in James River, VA

News Release

July 15, 2018 U.S. Coast Guard 5th District Mid-Atlantic Contact: 5th District Public Affairs Office: (757) 398-6272 After Hours: (757) 434-7712 5th District online newsroom

Coast Guard suspends search for 2 in James River, VA

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard has suspended their search for two boaters, who went missing on the James River, at 12:35 p.m. Sunday.

The two people went missing after a collision took place between a recreational boat, with six people aboard, and an oyster barge being pushed by a tug, which was headed for an oyster bed near the James River Bridge, Saturday.

“We would like to extend our condolences to those affected by this tragedy,” said Capt. Kevin Carroll, the commander of Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads. “As a first responder, suspending a search is never an easy decision to make.”

Since the search began on Saturday, more than 200-square miles of searching was conducted by Coast Guard boats and helicopters, as well as support from the U.S. Navy, Virginia Marine Resources Commission, Virginia Marine Police, Newport News police and fire, Hampton Roads police, York County fire and Port of Virginia.

The waterway has been re-opened between the James River Bridge and the Monitor Merrimac Memorial Bridge Tunnel.

The Coast Guard and Virginia Marine Resources Commission are jointly investigating the cause of the incident.

-USCG-

INITIAL RELEASE: 4 recovered after boat collision; Waterway closed as Coast Guard, state, local responders continue search for 2 in James River, VA