PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Coast Guard and partner agencies are searching Tuesday for two swimmers reported to be in distress in Deep Creek near the James River.
Newport News 911 dispatch operators contacted Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads Command Center watchstanders at 2:48 p.m. Tuesday to report of two missing swimmers in the Deep Creek area.
Sector watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and dispatched a crew aboard a 25-foot Response Boat-Small from Coast Guard Station Portsmouth. A Coast Guard maritime security response team was in the area and diverted to assist in the search.
Also involved in the search were boat crews from Newport News Fire Rescue, James City County Fire, Virginia Marine Resource Commission and Hampton Fire Department. A U.S. Navy helicopter crew from Chambers Field also diverted to assist.