On Tuesday evening, sometime after 6:00 p.m., a crane barge capsize near the Port of Wilmington in Delaware sent 3 Norfolk Dredging Company workers tumbling into the Christina River.
While 2 of them were rescued almost immediately, a third worker, named as 25 year-old Emanuel Gatling, did not surface and was subsequently reported to the Coast Guard as missing at approximately 6:45 p.m.
Coast Guard Station Philadelphia dispatched a 25-foot rescue boat to join local fire boats already searching the area for the missing worker.
Officials are reporting that Mr. Gatling was wearing an orange floatation jacket when the accident occurred.
The crane barge was attached to a suction dredge named “Essex” when it capsized for reasons that remain unknown.
The Coast Guard, forced by conditions to call off dive operations at around 11:15 p.m. yesterday, continued its surface search and rescue efforts throughout the night and into today.
Unfortunately, they still have been unable to locate any signs of Mr. Gatling.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Gatling’s family during this difficult time.
As for the Coast Guard, it remains to be seen just what its investigation into the cause of this tragic, but avoidable maritime accident will reveal.
We will follow the investigation as it develops and keep you posted on the results once they are released.