The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Coast Guard:
(BARBOURSVILLE, W.V.) — The U.S. Coast Guard and St. Albons Police Department divers recovered the body of Greg Smith of Catlettsburg, Ky., in the pilothouse of the Misty Dawn, Monday.
Two crewmembers were aboard the towing vessel Misty Dawn when the vessel sank at approximately 2 a.m. near the edge of the navigational channel near mile 37 of the Kanawha River. Christopher Morris safely swam to shore and was taken to Thomas Hospital in South Charleston, W.Va., by crews from Main Cross Fire and Rescue.
“The Coast Guard is very saddened by the tragic loss of a local riverman who was part of a family rich in maritime tradition,” said Cmdr. Chris Palmer, commanding officer of Marine Safety Unit Huntington. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.”
The Misty Dawn had approximately 4,000 gallons of fuel on board and has been completely boomed off. Salvage of the vessel is scheduled to begin Wednesday.
The Kanawha River has been closed to vessel traffic by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port for Sector Ohio Valley for pollution response and salvage operations. There is one vessel waiting to transit the river at this time.
The cause of the incident remains under investigation.
