Coast Guard suspends search for missing man near Oregon Inlet, NC

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Auxiliarist David Lau/Released (archive).

WILMINGTON, N.C. — The Coast Guard and other federal, state and local agencies searched throughout the day Wednesday, for a missing 60-year-old man near the Bonner Bridge. The Coast Guard suspended their search Wednesday night, after saturating the search area with multiple assets and other agencies.​

The girlfriend of the man told Dare County 911 that he had gone out on a boogie board to swim in the inlet Wednesday morning, but he did not return. Coast Guard Station Oregon Inlet boat crews were launched alongside an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Elizabeth City. A Coast Guard crew found his boogie board located against a span of the bridge.

Coast Guard crews worked alongside Dare County, North Carolina Parks Service, Cape Hatteras National Seashore park rangers and North Carolina Marine Patrol.

"It's especially busy as we begin the 4th of July weekend and it's very important to be mindful of your environment and wear your life jacket as you head out on the water," said Petty Officer 1st Class Scott Dempsey, a search and rescue coordinator at the Coast Guard's 5th District in Portsmouth, Virginia. "In the region, there have been at least six deaths of people not wearing life jackets in the past week."

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Coast Guard rescues 2 from overturned boat in Albemarle Sound

Video by Petty Officer 1st Class Seth Johnson

Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City rescues two people after their 16-foot boat overturned one mile off Reed Point in the Albemarle Sound, North Carolina June 8, 2018.

The boaters were safely brought to a nearby awaiting emergency medical services 

U.S. Coast Guard Video courtesy of Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City

WILMINGTON, N.C. – The Coast Guard rescued two people after their boat overturned one mile off Reed Point in the Albemarle Sound Friday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Carolina received a notification from Perquimans County 911 at 3:40 p.m., reporting a 16-foot bass boat capsized and two people were in distress.

A 29-foot Response Boat-Small crew from Coast Guard Station Elizabeth City was diverted and an HH-60 Jayhawk rescue helicopter crew from Air Station Elizabeth City were dispatched to assist.

The rescue helicopter crew arrived on-scene shortly after notification, hoisted the boaters aboard and brought them to awaiting emergency medical services.

“Wearing life jackets is essential boating safety regardless the type of vessel and regardless of the distance offshore,” said Lt. Rebekah Haba, the pilot of the responding Jayhawk helicopter. “In addition to lifejackets, marine band radios are highly recommended to alert us to trouble quickly and accurately.”

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