​On February 20, 2026, the US Coast Guard (USCG) received a distress call from the fishing vessel Ruthie B, which was transiting in the vicinity of Buxton, North Carolina, with three crew aboard. The vessel, which was en route from Virginia to the Dominican Republic, with a stop in Florida, had reported a loss of power and propulsion. Personnel from USCG Station Hatteras Inlet responded, and offered to medevac the captain, who had fallen and hurt his back, but the captain refused medical treatment. On February 21, USCG Station Hatteras Inlet personnel returned to the vessel, which was now at anchor near Ocracoke Inlet. The captain had fallen again and hurt his right arm; he accepted medical treatment and was evacuated to a nearby hospital. The other two crewmembers remained with the vessel at anchor.

On February 22, Coast Guard personnel from the USCGC Richard Snyder boarded the Ruthie B and observed a significant sheen surrounding the vessel and a noticeable list to port. A large amount of oily water was discovered in the bilge, but the source could not be determined. At that time, the two remaining Ruthie B crewmembers were evacuated, and the vessel remained at anchor.

On February 23, USCG Sector North Carolina (Wilmington) received an EPIRB alert registered to the Ruthie B approximately 12 nautical miles off the Hatteras Inlet sea buoy. A life raft with no one aboard was located near the EPIRB position. The vessel is believed to have sunk with approximately 7,000 gallons of diesel on board.

The Coast Guard has declared this incident a major marine casualty. The Coast Guard will lead the investigation, and the NTSB will investigate and determine the probable cause.