HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — The Coast Guard and other local, state and federal agencies spent hours searching for a missing man who was on board a tugboat that sank in the Houston Ship Channel Friday afternoon. The man's body was found Saturday evening, according to the Coast Guard
Editor's note: The above video was published before the man's body was found.
Five people from the boat were in the water after it capsized and went under about half a mile east of the Lynchburg Ferry.
Coast Guard Commander Michael Cortese said four were quickly rescued by good Samaritans and they're expected to be OK.
"I'd like to thank the good Samaritans that sprang into action -- that were in the general vicinity when the incident happened. They're really the lifesavers that get the credit for saving those four mariners," Cortese said.
They were using boats and helicopters to search for the man near the south end of the Lynchburg Ferry on Friday.
The Harris County Sheriff's Office and Houston Police Department sent boats and dive teams to help with the search. Cortese said Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Army Corps of Engineers also helped.
"This is a multi-level response operation," Cortese said. "We're all engaged to locate the missing individual and keep the water safe and all the traffic away from here so no harm can come to other boaters."
Cortese said the 50-foot-long "Miss Peggy" tugboat capsized and went under down around 2 p.m.
He said an investigation would be done to determine why the boat sank once the search and recovery mission ended.
The Coast Guard said they searched for a combined 32 hours and covered 92 nautical miles.
"Our strongest thoughts and prayers go out to the family, loved ones, and all those involved in this tragic incident,” said Capt. Keith M. Donohue with the Coast Guard. “I also thank all our port and maritime partners for the tremendous cooperation and assistance rendered over these last two days."
The vessel is owned by Houston Fleeting Services, which is owned by Ingram Marine. A spokesperson for Ingram Marine Saturday morning told KHOU 11 in a statement that one person from the five-person crew was still missing. Read the full statement:
“At approximately 2:15 pm CST yesterday (Friday), one of our fleeting vessels, the M/V Miss Peggy, sunk while traveling in the Houston Ship Channel. The U.S. Coast Guard and local authorities were immediately notified. There were five crew members on board at the time of the event and there is one associate still unaccounted for at this time. Two other associates were transported to the hospital for treatment – one has since been released and the other is in stable condition.
"A Unified Command has been established consisting of representatives from federal, state and local authorities as well as Ingram Marine representatives. Search and rescue operations are currently underway and will continue through the day, led by the U.S. Coast Guard. This is a rapidly developing situation but we will share more information as it is available.”