Fishing vessel sinks after colliding with pilot boat

A fishing vessel, the Miss Heather, sank quickly after colliding with a pilot boat near Newport News Small Boat Harbor in the James River, Virginia on May 30, 2023. The U.S. Coast Guard was alerted at 7:50 a.m. and the pilot aboard the Swift rescued the two fishermen from the Miss Heather as the fishing vessel rapidly took on water. A 45-foot rescue boat from Coast Guard Station Portsmouth and a lifeboat crew from the Newport News Fire Department were deployed to assist.

The Portsmouth Station boat crew escorted the pilot boat into port, where rescuers from the Rescue Service were waiting to examine the crew of the fishing boat. No injuries were reported. Firefighters marked the area with a red buoy and reported that the fishing vessel broke apart and drifted. The Coast Guard is coordinating with the US Army Corps of Engineers to recover the sunken ship.

The incident is currently under investigation. The cause of the collision has not been released. It is not clear if any charges will be filed in relation to the incident. The fishing vessel sank entirely while the pilot boat sustained only minor damage.

The Newport News Small Boat Harbor is a busy area, with a range of vessels using the waterway. The Virginia Pilot Association maintains a fleet of pilot boats, which help to shepherd large vessels into and out of port. In addition, the Coast Guard maintains a noticeable presence in the area, helping to enforce maritime laws and providing assistance to boaters in distress. Despite the chaotic nature of maritime traffic in that area, many boaters coexist peacefully and rely on one another to help keep the waterway safe.

Collisions between vessels are not uncommon in the region, but the quick response of rescue crews helped prevent any injuries or fatalities in this incident. The Coast Guard and other agencies remain committed to ensuring the safety of all who use the James River and other busy waterways in the area.


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