MISLE case: 03 OCT 2009 - U.S. Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads received notification that the 90 GT, Tug GRAM ME (O.N. 543221) while pushing ahead the 745 GT/195 ft. light barge TMI-202 (O.N. 966886), collided with an 18 foot white Maycraft recreational vessel named GOD SAVES (Registration number: NC 8948 WB) near Old Point Comfort, VA.  The collision caused the recreational vessel to capsize and expel four people into the water. Two good Samaritan vessels on scene assisted the four people out of the water.  CPR was conducted on one unresponsive individual.  All four individuals were taken to the hospital for post-marine casualty evaluation.  

The owner/operator of the recreational vessel GOD SAVES was later declared deceased at the Sentara Careplex hospital in Hampton, VA on the date of the incident.  The crew of the tug GRAM ME was alcohol and drug tested in accordance with post-marine casualty requirements outlined in 46 C.F.R. Part 4.  The Coast Guard, in cooperation with other State and local agencies, conducted an extensive investigation into the facts surrounding the system failures leading up to the accident.
 
hampton