Coast Guard suspends search for missing dredge crew members in Corpus Christi, Texas

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Public Affairs Detachment Texas Coast Guard Sector/Air Station Public Affairs Office (361) 438-0176 PA Detachment Texas online newsroom

Coast Guard suspends search for missing dredge crew members in Corpus Christi, Texas

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Coast Guard has suspended its search Saturday for two missing crew members from the dredging vessel Waymon L Boyd.

The bodies of two of the missing crew members were recovered at approximately 2 a.m. and 10:45 a.m., Saturday. Two crew members remain missing.

“Our Coast Guard crews worked intently alongside state and local partners to locate the two crew members who remained missing, but unfortunately, we were unable to locate them,” said Capt. Edward Gaynor, commander, Coast Guard Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi. “The decision to suspend a search is never easy and a lot of factors are considered before suspending a search. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the friends and families of the missing crew members during this difficult time.”

Involved in the search were:

• Coast Guard Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi
• Coast Guard Station Port Aransas
• Coast Guard Aids to Navigation Team Corpus Christi
• Coast Guard Cutter Chinook
• Coast Guard Cutter Manta
• Coast Guard Cutter Sturgeon
• Port Police Department Marine Units
• Harbormaster's Office
• Security Command Center

At 8:12 a.m. Friday, Coast Guard Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi watchstanders received reports from witnesses describing a fire in the Port of Corpus Christi. A Coast Guard helicopter crew rescued two injured crew members and four remained missing. The fire onboard the dredging vessel was extinguished at approximately 10 p.m. Friday after the vessel broke apart and sunk.

For previous press releases regarding search and rescue efforts click here or here.

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