USCG to hold public hearing regarding the sinking of the Miss Calabash II

CALABASH, N.C. - The Coast Guard will hold a formal public hearing for the investigation into the sinking of the motor vessel Miss Calabash II Wednesday at 9 a.m.

Coast Guard marine investigators have recalled the crew of the Miss Calabash II to obtain statements and finalize the timeline of events leading up to the sinking. Facts collected at this hearing will be developed into a conclusion to be presented in the Coast Guard’s final investigative report.

The Coast Guard will also be taking statements from the owner, master, and technicians that worked on the vessel and several passengers via phone.

The Coast Guard’s investigation is intended to determine the causes of the accident and obtain information that may prevent or reduce the occurrence of similar incidents.

Coast Guard to Investigate Miss Calabash II Marine Casualty

CALABASH, N.C. - The Coast Guard initiated a formal investigation into the marine casualty aboard the motor vessel Miss Calabash II Friday to determine what caused the fire and examine the Coast Guard’s vessel inspection methods and procedures implemented for this vessel. 

The Miss Calabash II caught fire while at sea off the South Carolina coast Wednesday, forcing the 23 passengers and three crewmembers to abandon ship. All 26 people were recovered from the water quickly and in good condition by two nearby good Samaritan vessels.     

Rear Adm. Steve Branham, Seventh Coast Guard District commander, ordered a District Formal Investigation because the casualty involved the loss of a Coast Guard inspected vessel, which is consistent with Coast Guard policy. 

A District Formal Investigation consists of a Coast Guard investigating officer who will receive evidence and testimony using formal rules and procedures. Since the Miss Calabash II was a Coast Guard inspected vessel, the investigation will review all aspects of the marine casualty including:

(1) the cause of the accident
(2) whether there is evidence that any failure of material or equipment was involved or contributed to the casualty
(3) whether there is evidence that any act of misconduct, inattention to duty, negligence, or willful violation of the law on the part of any licensed or certificated person contributed to the casualty
(4) whether there is evidence that any Coast Guard or other government agency personnel caused or contributed to the casualty
(5) whether the accident should be further investigated by a Marine Board of Investigation  

The Investigating Officer is a senior member of the Seventh Coast Guard District prevention division, who will be assisted by investigating officers from Coast Guard Sector Charleston, S.C., and marine inspection personnel from the Fifth Coast Guard District in Portsmouth, Va. 

The Coast Guard immediately notified the National Transportation Safety Board regarding the loss of this vessel.  The NTSB declined to conduct an independent investigation, however they did provide input for the investigating officer. 

The District Formal Investigation is expected to last several weeks.   

26 Rescued by Good Samaritans from Burning Boat

CALABASH, N.C. (Dy Public Affairs) - Twenty-six people were rescued by two good Samaritans 17 miles east of Little River, S.C., at around 9:28 a.m. Wednesday.

The Miss Calabash II, a 41-foot vessel for hire, departed Calabash Wednesday morning for a 12-hour trip. The vessel caught fire while underway and personnel sent a distress call for help before abandoning ship.

Coast Guard helicopters from Air Facility Charleston, S.C., and Air Station Savannah, Ga., and Coast Guard small boats from Station Georgetown, S.C., and Station Oak Island N.C. all launched to assist the 26 people. Before they arrived on scene, all 26 people in the water were spotted and rescued by the vessels Fisher of Men and Jester.

“This case show the importance of having a VHF marine radio onboard when you go out on the water,” said Lt. Cmdr. Eric King, a search and rescue coordinator at Sector Charleston. “Once the distress call was made, the two vessels were able to quickly rescue the passengers and crew from the water and notify the Coast Guard.”

All passengers and crew were taken back to Calabash by the good Samaritans in good condition. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Editors Note: This story was reported earlier today from internet sources which claimed the Coast Guard rescued the 26.  Obviously, they did not.