Boaters hurt after shrimp vessel runs aground, overturns

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Two boaters were hurt when a 41-foot fishing vessel overturned off of Carolina Beach overnight.

Coast Guard crews said the shrimp boat first ran aground at Snows Cut at about 10 p.m. Monday. They said the men aboard were going to stay until high tide so they could free the boat. Around 1 a.m. Tuesday the two boaters called the Coast Guard to report their boat overturning on its side, ending up nearly submerged.

Crews said the pair was rescued and taken to the hospital for hypothermia and back injuries, among others.

The Coast Guard said 150 gallons of diesel fuel was on board at the time, but the amount on board at the time of the incident is unknown. Crews said there was a strong smell in the area and sheen in the water. Crews were on the scene Tuesday afternoon to check if the fuel is polluting the water. Though crews are still not sure what caused the boat to overturn, they said winds and currents are likely to blame.

The Coast Guard said there are no plans yet for moving the boat. They said the boat was being delivered from Florida, and the people aboard were not the owners.