Maritime News

Federal investigators are looking into a boat crash in Charleston, SC.

 
The crash occurred on Saturday, December 5 at approximately 8:21 pm. The Thriller, a 43 passenger tour boat, was traveling at approximately 25 miles per hour just south of the Cooper River Bridge in the Charleston Harbor Marina at the time of the accident. Passengers began shouting and pointing as two Coast Guard boats headed towards them. It appeared that the Coast Guard vessels did not see the Thriller.  

 
The captain of the Thriller turned the tour boat exposing the right side to the Coast Guard boats. One boat managed to avoid collision. The other, a small 25-foot Coast Guard boat, hit near the third row of passengers.

 
Twenty-four passengers were onboard.  The crew of a 41-foot Coast Guard utility boat evacuated the passengers and took them to Charleston Harbor Marina for medical care. Emergency medical personnel examined each passenger for injuries. Four passengers sustained injuries. Details about the injuries were not released.

 
The Coast Guard vessels were not damaged, but the Thriller sustained moderate damage above the water line.

 
Both the Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the collision. The Coast Guard boat had just been released from security escort, and was on its way back to Charleston Harbor when the accident occurred.

  
The Thriller is an offshore tour-boat that is part of Thriller Tours of Charleston. It operates out of Ripley Light Marina and is owned by Pegasus Charters. 

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