About 0415 on February 12, 1983, the 605-foot U.S. bulk carrier MARINE ELECTRIC capsized and sank during a storm in the Atlantic Ocean about 30 nautical miles east of Chincoteague, Virginia. Thirty-four persons were aboard. Three persons survived the accident, and the bodies of 24 persons were recovered. The other seven persons are missing and presumed dead. The MARINE ELECTRIC currently is resting in three pieces on the bottom of the ocean in about 120 feet of water; its estimated value, including the cargo was $12 million. An examination of the wreckage indicates that a structural failure occurred either at the No.2 cargo hold or in the original T-2 bow section. The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the capsizing and sinking of the U.S. bulk carrier MARINE ELECTRIC was the flooding of several forward compartments as the result of an undetermined structural failure.
Marine Accident Report - United States Bulk Carrier Marine Electric Capsizing and Sinking about 30 Nautical Miles East of Chincoteague, Virginia, February 12, 1983
1983
80 pages
Report
No indication
English
Transportation Safety , Marine & Waterway Transportation , Cargo ships , Stability , Ship structural components , Failure , Flooding , Casualties , North Atlantic Ocean , Virginia , Life rafts , Ship accidents , Marine accidents , Marine electric vessel , Capsizing , Bulk carriers , Chincoteague(Virginia)