VIDEOS AVAILABLE: Coast Guard rescued, assisted partner agencies in Wilmington River boat collision

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard 7th District PA Detachment Jacksonville Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Jacksonville Office: 904-714-7606/7607 After Hours: 786-393-4138 PA Detachment Jacksonville online newsroom

VIDEOS AVAILABLE: Coast Guard rescued, assisted partner agencies in Wilmington River boat collision

 

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CHARLESTON, S.C. — Coast Guard and partner agencies rescued five people and assisted in the search for three men, Saturday, after two boats collided with a total of nine people aboard in the Wilmington River just north of Thunderbolt Marina.

Missing are a 37-year-old white male and two early 20-year-old white males, last seen wearing board shorts and no shirts.

A good Samaritan notified Coast Guard Sector Charleston at 10:42 a.m., via VHF-FM channel 16, stating two recreational boats collided and people were in the water. It was reported one vessel had three people aboard and the second vessel had six people aboard. It was also reported four people were taken to the hospital by emergency medical services, and one person is in good condition.

A Coast Guard Air Station Savannah aircrew hoisted and transferred one of the nine people from the water and was safely transferred to Memorial Health University Medical Center.

Coast Guard Station Tybee boat crew have established a safety zone while Chatham County and Savannah Fire Department are conducting rescue and dive operations.

Coast Guard and partner agencies involved were:

• Air Station Savannah MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew
• Station Tybee Island 29-foot Response Boat-Small boat crew
• Chatham County Sheriffs Office Marine
• Savannah Fire Department

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-USCG-