Cargo vessel Golden Ray flips on side, 20 rescued, 4 unaccounted for

A cargo vessel Golden Ray flipped on its side near St. Simons Sound in Georgia on Sunday.

The Coast Guard said that 20 people have been rescued and four people remain unaccounted for. The 656-foot vehicle carrier vessel has a crew size of 24 people; 23 crew members and a pilot.

The vessel’s master and chief engineer are assisting authorities and salvage teams to develop plans to stabilize the vessel and continue rescue efforts.

The United Staes Coast Guard (USCG) and other local agencies were responding with multiple rescue assets on the scene. All vessel traffic in the Port of Brunswick was suspended unless approved by the USCG Captain of the Port.

At approximately 2 am, Coast Guard Sector Charleston watchstanders were notified by the Glynn County 911 dispatch that the M/V Golden Ray had capsized in the St. Simons Sound. The watchstanders immediately issued an urgent marine information broadcast and directed the launch of multiple Coast Guard assets.

The United Staes Coast Guard Southeast broke the news in a statement on Twitter at around 1:07 PM. The tweet read, "@USCG and other local agencies have multiple rescue assets on the scene with the cargo vessel Golden Ray currently listing heavily near St. Simons Sound, Georgia. The crew of the vessel is being evacuated at this time."

#BreakingNews @USCG and other local agencies have multiple rescue assets on scene with the cargo vessel Golden Ray currently listing heavily near St. Simons Sound, Georgia. The crew of the vessel is being evacuated at this time. pic.twitter.com/rtA9ZfteGh

— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) September 8, 2019

The operation was still going on as of 3:15 PM. "Evacuations of the Golden Ray’s crew continue. All vessel traffic in the Port of Brunswick is currently suspended unless approved by the @USCG Captain of the Port."

#Update Evacuations of the Golden Ray’s crew continue. All vessel traffic in the Port of Brunswick is currently suspended unless approved by the @USCG Captain of the Port. #HappeningNow pic.twitter.com/F7JbdGCShU

— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) September 8, 2019

There have been no reports of injuries yet and it is not yet known what led to the ship listing on its side. 

Further details are awaited.

This is a developing story.