PORTSMOUTH, Va. – A Coast Guard crew rescued three men Thursday night after the work boat they were on began sinking in the Elizabeth River.
Coast Guard search and rescue coordinators received the report that the 20-foot push boat was sinking at about 10:20 p.m. A rescue crew from Station Portsmouth, aboard a 41′ Coast Guard boat, rescued all three men in 4 to 6-foot seas and 30 knot winds. The three men had abandoned the sinking ship and sought refuge on the connected work barge. Hampton and Portsmouth fire boats also responded.
The two barges being pushed by the boat were located by the Norfolk Police Department about 100 yards off the beach near Lambert’s Point Golf Course. The sunken push boat is believed to be still attached to them.
The Army Corps of Engineers has found that the wreck is stable, and does not pose a serious hazard to navigation. There are no signs of pollution, but the Coast Guard is monitoring the situation as salvage efforts are planned. The incident is being investigated by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.
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