U.S. Coast Guard Station Wachapreague boat crew members return back to the station pier in Wachapreague, Virginia, with six people who’s boat ran aground on Feb. 22, 2018. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Seaman Devyn Bohl)
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — A Coast Guard boat crew brought six passengers to safety Thursday night, after the fishing boat they were on ran aground in the mud in a channel just north of Bradford Bay. Two people stayed with the boat and were able to get free when high tide came in a few hours later.
At 6:10 p.m., a crewmember aboard the 34-foot fishing boat Wreckaholic contacted Coast Guard Station Wachapreague watchstanders via cell phone, reporting that they had run aground due to shoaling and a low tide, with eight people aboard.
A boat crew from the station launched aboard a 24-foot Special Purpose Craft-Shallow Water boat to assist the fishermen, which were less than a mile away from the station. Once they arrived on scene, the Coast Guard boat crew picked up the six passengers and transported them to Station Wachapreague.
“Be aware of the areas that you are navigating,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Cameron Elliott, the watchstander receiving the distress call. “Always take in account for possible shoaling, tide levels and wind speeds. Never hesitate to call the Coast Guard at the first sign of trouble.”
The captain and first mate of the fishing boat stayed behind to attempt to refloat their boat and were able to do so with the help of the rising tide and increasing wind speeds. The boat was safely tied up at Island House Restaurant and Marina in Wachapreague.
There were no injuries or pollution reported.
