Broadcast Version For Maritime Mobile Service Network and Other Nets:
BOLO Canceled: The US Coast Guard suspended its search for two persons in the water, after an overturned 35 foot recreational vessel was discovered near Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina on November 10, 2020. Anyone with information should contact USCG at 910-343-3880.
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UPDATE 13 NOV 2020:
Coast Guard suspends search for 2 missing from overturned vessel
WILMINGTON, N.C. — The Coast Guard has suspended the search Thursday for two persons in the water after an overturned recreational vessel was discovered near Beaufort Inlet on Tuesday.
George Hamilton Andrews from Raleigh and William “Bill” Watkins Merriman IV from Wilmington remain missing. They were last seen departing from Atlantic Beach Sunday for a fishing trip aboard the 35-foot recreational boat Strike Zone.
“After the utmost consideration and careful review of all factors involved in this search and rescue case, the Coast Guard has made the difficult decision to suspend its active search efforts,” said Captain Matt Baer, Sector Commander for Coast Guard Sector North Carolina. “The decision to suspend a search is never easy and our sincere thoughts go out to the families and friends of Mr. Andrews and Mr. Merriman during this incredibly trying time.”
The Coast Guard, along with local agencies, began searching for the mariners Tuesday morning after watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Carolina Command Center received a report from a transiting fishing vessel that a 35-foot recreational boat was found overturned approximately four nautical miles outside of Beaufort Inlet.
“The Coast Guard diligently searched with our pilots, boat forces, cutter crews and numerous partner agencies in the water, in the air and on land,” said Cmdr. Corrie Sergent, a search and rescue mission coordinator at Coast Guard Sector North Carolina. “We saturated the vast search area but, unfortunately, were unable to locate the two missing men.”
Coast Guard crews searched approximately 8,600 square miles over a period of 58 hours with multiple assets.
Resources used in the search efforts:
– Coast Guard Station Fort Macon 47-foot Motor Life Boat
– Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter
– Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City C-130 Hercules aircraft
– Coast Guard Cutter Seahawk
– Coast Guard Cutter Nathan Bruckenthal
– Atlantic Beach Fire Department small boat
– Morehead City Fire Department small boat
– Beaufort Fire Department small boat
– National Park Service
– Carteret County Sheriff’s Department
TowBoat U.S. recovered the overturned vessel and the Coast Guard is investigating the incident.
Anyone with information relating to the case is asked to reach out to Sector North Carolina Command Center watchstanders at (910) 343-3880.
-USCG-
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UPDATE 12 NOV 2020:
Coast Guard, partner agencies search for 2 missing from overturned vessel
WILMINGTON, N.C. — The Coast Guard and partner agencies continue their search for two persons in the water after an overturned recreational vessel was discovered near Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina, Tuesday morning.
George Hamilton Andrews from Raleigh and William (Bill) Watkins Merriman IV from Wilmington remain missing. They were last seen departing from Atlantic Beach Sunday for a fishing trip aboard the 35-foot recreational boat Strike Zone.
The Coast Guard has expanded their search and has covered nearly 7300 square miles. The Coast Guard is continuing their search using a 154-foot Fast Response Cutter, a 47-foot Motor Life Boat, and a C-130 Hercules aircraft. The National Park Service and Carteret County Sheriff’s Department are conducting searches along the shoreline.
Resources used in the search efforts:
– Coast Guard Station Fort Macon 47-foot Motor Life Boat
– Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter
– Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City C-130 Hercules aircraft
– Coast Guard Cutter Seahawk
– Coast Guard Cutter Nathan Bruckenthal
– Atlantic Beach Fire Department small boat
– Morehead City Fire Department small boat
– Beaufort Fire Department small boat
– National Park Service
– Carteret County Sheriff’s Department
TowBoat U.S. recovered the overturned vessel and is assisting in the investigation.
Anyone with information relating to the case is asked to reach out to Sector North Carolina Command Center watchstanders at (910) 343-3880.
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UPDATE: Coast Guard, partner agencies search for 2 missing from overturned vessel
WILMINGTON, N.C. — The Coast Guard and local partners continue their search for two persons in the water after an overturned recreational vessel was discovered near Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina, Tuesday morning.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Carolina Command Center launched a C-130 Hercules aircraft from Air Station Elizabeth City to continue the search overnight, along with an 87-foot Coast Guard patrol boat. Park rangers have also assisted the shoreside search.
“This is a difficult search and rescue case with a lot of unknowns,” said Cmdr. Tracy Wirth, Deputy Sector Commander for Coast Guard Sector North Carolina. “We are going to do everything we can for these families with missing loved ones. Our air and water assets are currently searching and will throughout the night. If you have any information that can help with our search, please contact our Command Center at 910-343-3880.”
The overturned vessel was recovered and brought to shore for further investigation.
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WILMINGTON, N.C. — The Coast Guard and local partners are searching for two persons in the water after an overturned fishing vessel was discovered near Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina, Tuesday.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Carolina received a report from a fishing vessel at around 8 a.m. that a 35-foot recreational vessel was found overturned approximately three nautical miles outside of Beaufort Inlet.
TowBoat U.S. deployed a diver and determined there was no one on board the vessel, but all the lights and gear were still energized.
Sector North Carolina issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and directed the launch of search and rescue assets. The Coast Guard is searching an area that spans approximately 200 square nautical miles.
Credit Stew Ahman, St Petersburg, FL