June 8, 2011

Cladon Mervin Johnson of Chesapeake, VA was killed yesterday, and Raymond Burgess of Portsmouth was sent to the hospital after their boat was struck by a crabbing vessel in the channel off Naval Station Norfolk.

According to WVEC.com, the 15 foot boat was struck and run over by the 42 foot private crabbing vessel Just One More. The boat that Mr. Johnson and Burgess were in capsized, trapping Johnson underneath. Someone jumped in the water to retrieve him, and CPR was performed until he was taken to the hospital where he later died. 

It was reported that the crabbing vessel had a steering problem, and that they were working on hydraulics under the deck just before the accident. 

There is currently an investigation underway by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, The Virginia Marine Police, and the US Coast Guard.