Ship Collision

Fishing boat and container ship collide in waters near Ship Island.

GULFPORT, Mississippi - U.S. Coast Guard crews are searching the waters around Ship Island after a collision between two ships.

Coast Guard officials say just before 9pm Wednesday night, the Sandy Point, a fishing boat and the Eurus London, a container ship, collided south of Gulfport. The incident happened between Cat Island and Ship Island. The Sandy Point sank. 16 people were aboard at the time.

The Coast Guard pulled 11 people from the water. Two Sandy Point crewmembers were able to swim to the other ship.

Coast Guard rescue helicopters, a cutter, a plane and other boats are searching for the three people who were also aboard the Sandy Point. The cause of the incident is under investigation.