US Coast Guard Cutter William Griesser under way before the casualty.

​​US Coast Guard Cutter William Griesser under way before the casualty. (Photo: US Coast Guard)

Collision between US Coast Guard Cutter William Griesser and Fishing Vessel

Investigation Details

What Happened

​​​On August 8, 2022, about 1345 Atlantic standard time, the 154-foot-long US Coast Guard Cutter Winslow Griesser and the 23-foot-long fishing vessel Desakata collided in the Atlantic Ocean about 4 nautical miles northeast of Vega Baha, Puerto Rico. The Desakata was cleaved in two, and the two persons on board went into the water. The cutter recovered both persons: one had minor injuries, and the other was deceased. There was no pollution reported.

The accident was classified by the US Coast Guard as a public/non-public casualty. The NTSB will lead the investigation. 

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