Accidents of the Week - January 18, 2025
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Two Injured Boaters, Dog Rescued from Tampa Bay Buoy
1/4/25 – Hillsborough Co., FL
Two injured individuals and their dog were located by Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Aviation and Marine sections in Tampa Bay, Florida, along with HCSO Fire Rescue and the Coast Guard.
Boat Sank After Hitting Cruise Ship Wake
The individuals had been in a boating accident on 4 January at approximately 6:11 p.m., when their boat hit a wake from a cruise ship near Gadsden Point and sank. They were able to swim to a buoy, where they were rescued and transported to Tampa General Hospital.
“Our team’s coordinated response with other agencies led to the successful rescue of two people who desperately needed help,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “We will continue to work together to protect lives on our waterways.”
Hunters Rescued from Boat Stuck in Marsh at Low Tide
12/27/24 – Sussex Co., DE
The Fire Department in Lewes, Delaware, assisted Rehoboth Beach Fire officials with a stranded vessel in the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal on the night of 27 December.
The Lewes Fire Department said they had assisted the Rehoboth Beach Fire Department with removing two duck hunters from a vessel that became stranded in the marsh after the tide lowered in the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal. Fire officials said the hunters were found near the Holland Glade Tract.
According to the Lewes Fire Department, a marine unit responded to the stranded vessel with an operator, an EMT, and two DART rescue swimmers. The hunters were removed from the boat and taken back to the Lewes boat ramp.
No injuries were reported in the incident. Fire officials said the boat was removed by the Department of Resources and Natural Control (DNREC) at a later time.
Coast Guard Rescues 4 from Sinking Vessel
1/5/25 – Miami, FL
Four people were rescued on 5 January by a Coast Guard Station Marathon boat crew, after their 27-foot vessel began taking on water approximately 11 miles north of Marathon, Florida. No injuries were reported.
Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders received a distress call around 5 p.m. of a vessel taking on water. Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders launched a Station Marathon boat crew who arrived on scene and embarked four individuals. All four were taken ashore at the 33rd Street boat ramp.
"Our crews consistently prepare to respond to these situations day and night" said Petty Officer 3rd Class Zachary Aparo, a Sector Key West watchstander, "Thanks to their prompt call for help, we were able to get on scene quickly and conduct a successful rescue before they entered the water."
The owner was making arrangements to salvage the vessel.
Bayou Boat Crash Sends Man to Hospital
1/8/25 – Orange Co., TX
A man from Bridge City, Texas was sent to the hospital on the morning of 8 January, after a boat crash on Cow Bayou. The crash was reported around 6:15 a.m. 1 mile southeast of Roundbunch Bridge in Orange County, Texas, on the border with Louisiana.
Local game wardens responded to the scene after daylight and interviewed those involved, according to Region IV, District 2 - Beaumont Captain Game Warden Ryan Hall.
Boater Hit Barge Mooring Line
The preliminary investigation showed that a Bridge City man was driving his boat southeast along Cow Bayou when he hit the mooring line stretching from a barge in the area to the shore, Hall said.
The man's boat had major damage to the center console, and he suffered lacerations to the head. He was taken to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in stable condition, according to Hall.
The nature of the crash was under investigation by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the U.S. Coast Guard, due to the involvement of a commercial vessel.
Fire Department Leads River Rescue After Boat Sinks
1/8/25 – Broken Arrow, OK
A water rescue was conducted on Oklahoma’s Verdigris River by the Broken Arrow Fire Department (BAFD) on the afternoon of 8 January.
According to BAFD, an individual called in for rescue after their boat began filling with water and sank in the river.
The victim was later located on the river bank and was treated by paramedics. BAFD paramedics treated the individual for hypothermia.
Fire Damages Boat, Dock at Roanoke Island Marina
1/3/25 – Manteo, NC
A private vessel and part of a dock were heavily damaged by fire on the afternoon of 3 January at Pirates Cove Marina in Manteo, North Carolina.
Crews from the Roanoke Island Volunteer Fire Department and Nags Head Fire Department were called around 3 p.m. to the C Dock at the marina on the Manteo Causeway.
“We are incredibly fortunate that the fire was mostly contained to the affected boat, the nearby pilings, and a portion of the dock,” according to a post on the Pirates Cove Marina Facebook page. “While some areas of C Dock sustained smoke damage, no further impacts have been identified at this time,” marina officials said.
The boat was removed from the marina and other fire-related concerns were addressed. “We’re grateful that the situation wasn’t more severe and appreciate everyone’s cooperation during this incident,” they added.
Repairs were slated to being immediately and the dock was closed to access. No injuries were reported, and the cause of the blaze was not disclosed.
Fisherman Drowns in Oklahoma River
12/28/24 – Bryan Co., OK
A drowning that occurred on 28 December on the Washita River, on the Oklahoma-Texas border, was reported by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP).
Drowned Fisherman Not Wearing PFD
According to OHP, Ronald Stoker, age 52, was in his boat on the Washita River around 5:00 p.m. Saturday. Stoker fell out of the boat while baiting jug lines due to an unknown reason. He was not wearing a personal flotation device at the time.
It was cloudy at the time and the water temperature was a reported 54 degrees.
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