Mariner Dies After Dredge Workboat Capsizes Near Charleston, South Carolina

Photo: Leonard Zhukovsky / Shutterstock.com

The U.S. Coast Guard and partner agency crews were searching for a missing mariner after a dredge workboat capsized near Charleston Harbor, South Carolina on Thursday night.

Coast Guard Sector Charleston Command Center watchstanders were notified at 9:51 p.m, Thursday, the Dredge Brunswick was towing a workboat with two mariners that capsized.

One of the mariners was recovered by the dredge.

A Coast Guard Air Facility Charleston MH-65 Helicopter crew and two Station Charleston response boat crews searched throughout the night and at first light Friday morning.

An update Friday said the mariner’s body was located near Orangegrove Creek at around 7:50 a.m. and subsequently recovered. 

“While the response was immediate and involved eight agencies, we were ultimately unable to locate the mariner in time. Our condolences go out to the family, friends, and coworkers dealing with this heartbreaking loss,” said Capt. John Reed, commander of Coast Guard Sector Charleston. 

Other agencies involved with the search were Charleston City Fire, North Charleston Fire, Charleston Police, Charleston County Sheriffs and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

The vessel’s owner is coordinating salvage.

The dredger is owned by Southern Dredging, whose fleet consists of two dredges and five dredge tender boats among other vessels.

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