Update: Active USCG Search Cancelled
USCG CANCELS SEARCH FOR M/V H.M.S. Me II
Valid 25 NOV 2019 PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard has suspended its search for a 50-year-old man who was reported missing while transiting from New York to Florida aboard his 35-foot recreational vessel, Monday. Michael Bye was reported missing while aboard his boat, the H.M.S. Me II.
Watchstanders at the Coast Guard’s Fifth District command center were notified at 7:40 p.m., Thursday that Bye had failed to make contact at an agreed upon time by a family member.
The Coast Guard searched approximately 10,000 square miles using assets and personnel from the following units:
Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, Coast Guard Station Hobucken, Coast Guard Station Hatteras Inlet, Coast Guard Station Emerald Isle, CoastGuard Station Wrightsville Beach, Coast Guard Station Fort Macon, Coast Guard Station Oak Island, Coast Guard Station Ocracoke Coast and Coast Guard Station Elizabeth City.
“The decision to suspend a search-and-rescue case is never one we come to lightly,” said Capt. Jeffrey Janszen, Chief of Response for the Fifth Coast Guard District. “We offer our deepest sympathies to the family of Mr. Bye in this difficult time.”
—————————————————————————————————————————————————–
The U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) Norfolk, VA confirmed at 0700 hrs, 25 NOV 2019 the search for the 35′ Bayliner cabin Cruiser named H.M.S. Me II.
The vessel with one POB, Michael Bye is overdue on a voyage from New York to Belle Haven, NC where he was supposed to pick up a friend on 21 NOV 2019 and never arrived. His last contact was on 19 NOV 2019 when he was 70 NM North of Norfolk, VA in the Ocean. His last cell phone ping was on Friday 22 NOV 2019 which put him in the vicinity of Duck, NC
Micheal Bye has a medical condition that prevents him from speaking. So even if he were to hear a VHF call for him, he would not be able to answer it.
The vessel is white in color with a dinghy on the stern.
USCG RCC Norfolk will be providing a photograph which we will publish upon receipt.
Anyone with information should contact USCG Norfolk at phone number 757-398-6231 and Boat Watch.
