PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard responded to a vessel collision Tuesday morning near the Newport News Small Boat Harbor.

Coast Guard officials received an alert at 7:50 a.m. reporting a collision involving the pilot boat Swift and a 38-foot deadrise fishing vessel named Miss Heather.

The pilot aboard the Swift successfully rescued two fishermen from the sinking Miss Heather and brought them onboard the pilot boat as the fishing vessel rapidly took on water.

In response, a 45-foot Response Boat – Medium from Coast Guard Station Portsmouth and a rescue boat crew from the Newport News Fire Department were deployed to provide assistance.

Fire department personnel marked the area with a red buoy and observed the fishing vessel breaking apart and drifting.

The Station Portsmouth boat crew escorted the pilot boat into the harbor, where emergency medical services personnel were standing by to evaluate the fishing boat's crew. No injuries were reported.

The Coast Guard is currently coordinating with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to initiate the removal of the sunken vessel.

An investigation into the incident is underway to determine the cause of the collision.