Published 17:02 IST, September 9th 2019
US: 20 rescued and 4 missing from overturned cargo ship Golden Ray
20 people have been rescued and 4 are still missing from a cargo ship Golden Ray which overturned in St. Simons Sound off the coast of Brunswick in Georgia
A cargo vessel overturned in St. Simons Sound off the coast of Brunswick in Georgia on September 8. 20 crew members have been rescued and four still missing. The United States Coast Guard has said that a fire had occurred in the ship called 'Golden Ray' which hampered rescue operations. It was a 656-foot vehicle carrier and the vessel had 24 people on board, including 23 crew members and one pilot. According to the US coast guard, the watchstanders had immediately issued an urgent marine information broadcast and initiated the launch of multiple Coast Guard assets.
Rescue by the US Coast Guard
The Coast Guard Sector in Charleston watchstanders were notified around 2 a.m. As per their local time and the Glynn County 911 dispatch that Golden Ray had tilted heavily to one side in St. Simons and the immediate action was taken. The shipmaster along with the chief engineer are assisting authorities and the rescue teams to establish a plan and stabilize the situation with the vessel. The Port of Brunswick Captain of the Port (COTP) has also issued an emergency safety zone in St. Simons Sound. No ships are allowed to enter within the half a mile area near the capsized Golden Ray. The US Coast Guard has also said that the cause of the accident is still being investigated.
A similar accident in the US
An amphibious boat tour turned upside down on Table Rock Lake near Branson in Missouri on July 21 and killed 17 people. The boat named 'Ride The Ducks' tipped over due to powerful winds and huge waves near the area. The rescue operators had to fish out bodies from the lake after the thunderstorm overturned the vessel. The boat was recovered from the bottom of the lake after a few days and the US President also expressed his grieve for the people who were killed in the tragedy.
(With Inputs from ANI)
Updated 19:08 IST, September 9th 2019