The Navy has identified the Sailor who fell overboard Saturday from the pierside submarine USS Boise at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia. Divers recovered the body of Sonar Technician (Submarine) Seaman Rolando Acosta, 21, about two hours after his fall.
An investigation is underway as to why Acosta fell, and what exactly caused his death. Lt. Tim Hawkins, spokesman for Submarine Group 2, told the Navy Times:
“We just don’t have a lot of details at this point.”
Acosta was a native of Plainview, Texas. According to a Navy news release, Acosta joined the Navy in January 2012. The USS Boise was his first assignment.
USS Boise Commanding Officer Cmdr. Scott Luers said of Acosta:
"Seaman Acosta was a hardworking and highly valued shipmate. His presence will be missed by USS Boise and throughout the submarine force. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."
Norfolk television station WTKR has more on the story:
