SS Marine Electric: The Wreck That Changed The Coast Guard
SS Marine Electric: The Wreck That Changed The Coast Guard
SS Marine Electric: The Wreck That Changed The Coast Guard
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Aug. 28, 2024

SS Marine Electric: The Wreck That Changed The Coast Guard

SS Marine Electric: The Wreck That Changed The Coast Guard

SS Marine Electric: The Wreck That Changed The Coast Guard

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Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs Podcast

The bulk carrier SS Marine Electric went down on February 12th, 1983, 30 miles off the coast of Virginia during a severe winter storm. The World War 2 era ship had been been deteriorating for years and suffered from rust, corrosion, failed pumps, and faulty safety features that the ship's owners, Marine Transport Lines had neglected to repair. Only 3 out of 34 crewmembers survived the wreck. Many Coast Guard reforms were developed as a result of this tragedy, including the formation of the US Coast Guard rescue swimmer program.

For images and sources, please visit https://shipwrecksandseadogs.com/blog/2024/08/24/ss-marine-electric/.

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Shipwrecks and Sea Dogs is written, edited, and produced by Rich Napolitano.

Original theme music by Sean Sigfried.

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