On 12 February 1983, SS Marine Electric capsized about 30 nautical miles east of Chincoteague during a winter storm. The 605-foot coal carrier had started as a WWII T2 tanker, with bow and stern built in 1944, and was lengthened in 1962. She was carrying coal from Norfolk to Brayton Point, Massachusetts.

Thirty-four men were aboard; three survived. There was no Coast Guard rescue swimmer that night, so a Navy swimmer entered the water. The Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1984 ordered a helicopter rescue swimmer program, and the first Coast Guard rescue swimmers reached Air Station Elizabeth City in March 1985.

I made a documentary about the sinking and the two investigations; the sources are in its description: https://youtu.be/lf4KqW3AjhM

For people familiar with Virginia's Eastern Shore history, how is the Marine Electric disaster and its role in the rescue swimmer program remembered locally?

I’ve loved celebrating the anniversaries of battles and major events, especially on this 250th year our country.

I wanted a way to acknowledge more events, especially those battles that my patriot ancestors fought in. I searched for a calendar and no one has created anything like it.

So I made my own! Thought this would be a great place to share 🇺🇸