Coast Guard Small Boat and Commercial Catamaran Collide in Charleston, SC

Commercial vessel sustains damage and passengers injured; NTSB launches “go-team” to investigate accident.

CHARLESTON, S.C. – A 25-foot Coast Guard small boat and the Thriller, a 43-passenger power catamaran, collided in Charleston Harbor Saturday at approximately 8:21 p.m. The Coast Guard small boat was reported to be transiting the channel while Thriller was crossing the channel when the collision occurred. There were no fatalities.

A 41-foot Coast Guard utility boat crew from Station Charleston evacuated the 24 passengers who were on Thriller and transported them to Charleston Harbor Marina to awaiting emergency medical personnel. There were three reported injuries to Thriller passengers. “The Coast Guard’s primary concern right now is the condition of the passengers who were injured in the incident," said Capt. Michael F. McAllister, commander, Coast Guard Sector Charleston.

The Coast Guard vessel reportedly attained no damage and Thriller is reported to have sustained moderate above the water-line damage. Conditions at the time of the incident were clear with winds at 10 to 15 mph.

The incident is under investigation by local Coast Guard officials and the National Transportation Safety Board has launched a “go-team” to investigate Saturday's marine accident. NTSB senior marine investigator Thomas Roth-Roffy is the Investigator-in-Charge and is leading the Safety Board's investigation. He is accompanied by two NTSB investigators.