The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Coast Guard:
(SAVANNAH, Ga.) — The Coast Guard responded to a boat collision four miles off the coast of Tybee Island, Ga., Wednesday afternoon.
The Soo Debbie, a 50-foot sea ray with eight people aboard, and the Bayport, a 280-foot dredge barge, collided in the Tybee Roads waterway at approximately 2 p.m. The Soo Debbie then contacted the Coast Guard for assistance.
Coast Guard Air Station Savannah launched a helicopter, and Coast Guard Station Tybee Island launched a small boat to assist.
There were no reports of injuries. The Soo Debbie is being escorted to the Westin Hotel in Savannah by the Coast Guard.
Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Savannah is investigating the cause of the accident.
