2 dead, 4 rescued in Va. bay after boat capsizes


VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP) – Coast Guard officials say two people died and
four were rescued after their 18-foot boat capsized Wednesday in cold
and choppy waters on the Chesapeake Bay.

Coast Guard spokesman Brian Neilan says a Coast Guard helicopter and
boat, along with local rescuers, responded to a distress call near the
Lesner Bridge in Virginia Beach shortly before 9 a.m. Wednesday.

Neilan says the four survivors showed signs of minor hypothermia after
being pulled from the water. They were taken to local hospitals.

Authorities are investigating the incident.

The National Weather Service reported the water temperature was 46
degrees at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. It also issued a
small-craft advisory, with waves up to five feet high and strong winds.

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No offense to the victims here, but you really have to be stupid to head
out in winter weather during a small-craft advisory in an 18-foot boat.
They probably were planning to fish at the CBBT. I've done that in the
winter, too, but in a 46-foot charter boat with twin diesels and a
heated cabin. I doubt the captain of the charter boat wold have headed
out in five foot seas.