PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA
The Coast Guard monitored the salvage of the sunken 48-foot sports fisher Bigbi Thursday, two miles north of Little Creek.
The Bigbi sank at approximately 5:40 a.m., Saturday.
The four-man crew of the Bigbi activated their emergency personal indicating radio beacon, donned lifejackets and survival suits, abandoned their boat and boarded a 12-foot Boston whaler, where they were assisted by a good Samaritan.
A Coast Guard 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Little Creek met with the good Samaritan and transported the four boaters to shore.
The owner of the Bigbi worked with Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads throughout the week to arrange for a commercial salvage company to salvage the boat.
A commercial hazardous waste responder was hired by the owner to contain and clean any potential fuel spill.