HOUSTON – The Coast Guard is investigating the sinking of the sailing vessel Cynthia Woods, which resulted in the loss of one life.
The Coast Guard began an investigation of the Cynthia Woods June 8. The investigation will be comprehensive and will look at all possible contributing factors including mechanical and material conditions of the Cynthia Woods, as well as human factors including training.
The objective of the investigation is to determine how the accident happened and the steps necessary to prevent situations like this from occurring in the future.
However, if the initial investigation reveals that federal or state statues have been violated, a criminal investigation may also be conducted at that time.
This is an ongoing investigation and the Coast Guard will not be able to comment or speculate about details until the investigation is concluded.
The lead agency for the investigation is the Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Unit in Galveston, Texas.
The following Coast Guard and state assets will contribute to the investigation:
- State of Texas Game Warden’s Office
- Coast Guard Headquarters
- Salvage Engineering Response Team
- Coast Guard Traveling Inspection Office
- Eighth Coast Guard District Legal Department
- Eighth Coast Guard District Investigations
- Coast Guard Public Affairs Detachment Houston
- Coast Guard Documentations
- Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston
