UPDATE/FINAL: Overdue boaters have been located safely approximately 80 miles east of Chincoteague, Virginia
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The two boaters who were reported overdue after failing to return to Hampton have been located safely Friday approximately 80 miles east of Chincoteague.
The overdue boaters, Yanni Nikopoulos and Dale Jones, contacted watchstanders in the Coast Guard Sector Virginia command center to inform them of their safety and are now en route to Hampton.
The pair reportedly were struck by lightning after sailing through inclement weather. After rigging a spare sail, the pair sailed to Virginia.
The two mariners are not in distress and have not requested Coast Guard assistance. All concerned parties have been informed of the mariners safety.
“We are extremely happy to learn Yanni and Dale are found and are safe,” said James Cifers, operations unit watchstander in the Fifth District Command Center. “It is truly wonderful the pair will be reunited with their friends and family soon.”
Editor’s note: To maintain the privacy of the boaters and their families we will not be releasing the date, time, or exact location of the vessel’s arrival.
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Broadcast Version For Maritime Mobile Service Network and Other Nets
An urgent Bolo has been issued for SV KYKLADES, a 40 foot Endeavor, on passage from Virginia to the Azores, with two persons on board.
Last known posistion on June 13, 2022 was at 37-56-852 North and 067-30-385 West or approximately 460 nautical miles east of Virginia Beach. They reported via an Iridium phone bad weather, a lost sail and mast and were turning around to head back to the Chesapeake.
On board the Canadian flagged vessel are one male: Yanni Nikopoulos and one female, Dale Jones. They are approximately 65 years of age.
SV KYKLADES has a life raft but no registered EPIRB.
Boats in the area of the last known posistion should broadcast this BOLO and report to RCC Norfolk. An Urgent Marine Broadcast has been issued with USCG air assets searching.
Report any sightings to RCC Norfolk and assist if possible.
171539Z JUN 22
HYDROLANT 1553/22(14).
WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC.
DNC 17.
36 FOOT S/V KYKLADES, TWO PERSONS ON BOARD,
UNREPORTED. LAST KNOWN POSITION IN VICINITY
36-26.50N 063-28.20W. VESSELS IN VICINITY REQUESTED
TO KEEP A SHARP LOOKOUT, ASSIST IF POSSIBLE.
REPORTS TO RCC NORFOLK,
PHONE: 757 398 6234,
E-MAIL: RCCNORFOLK@USCG.MIL.
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The U.S. Coast Guard continues to investigate the whereabouts of two sailors who were reported overdue after failing to return to Hampton, Virginia as planned.
The overdue boaters, Yanni Nikopoulos and Dale Jones, departed Hampton June 8 on the 36-foot sailboat Kyklades, headed to the Azores. Jones’ daughter reported the pair overdue June 17 after they did not return to Hampton, Monday as expected.
Coast Guard Fifth District watchstanders are currently working with the First Coast Guard District, and authorities in the Azores, Bermuda and Canada to help locate the overdue boaters.
“We have not received any signs of distress, however, we encourage the public to keep a sharp eye out for Yanni Nikopoulos and Dale Jones,” said Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Pulliam, the Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator in the Fifth District Command Center. “We encourage anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the two boaters to contact the Fifth Coast Guard District at 757-398-6390.”
Coast Guard searching for 2 overdue boaters
Correction: The previous release identified the missing female as “Gale Jones.” Her name is Dale Jones.
Update: Included is the date and location from which the overdue boaters departed and the events leading to their last received transmission.
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PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard is searching for two 65-year olds who are reported overdue after failing to return Monday from a sailing trip to the Azores, Portugal.
Missing are Virginia Beach natives Yanni Nikopoulos and Dale Jones.
Nikopoulos and Jones departed from Hampton, Virginia on June 8 for the Azores. The boaters reported to Jones’s daughter on June 13 that heavy weather had damaged their vessel and that they were headed back to Hampton. The missing boaters were approximately 460 miles east of Virginia Beach at the time of the call. No further communications were received.
Two overflights conducted by HC-130 Hercules crews from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City have been conducted of the approximate area of the missing boaters. An Urgent Marine Information Broadcast has been issued by the Fifth Coast Guard District Command Center to alert boaters in the area to the situation.
Coast Guard Fifth District command center watchstanders received a report on June 17 from Jones’ daughter stating that she hadn’t received any communication from her mother since they departed and was concerned for their well being. While no date had been established for their return, an anticipated return date of June 20 was communicated by the daughter.
“In situations like this, where there are so many unknowns, our coordination efforts need to cast a wide and intentional net,” said Chief Brian Gainey, command duty officer. “We’re tracking cell phone and radio pings as we work with our counterparts in Bermuda to accurately determine the most intelligent search area for our air crews. It’s a lot of detective work, but it’s all in service to finding these two individuals and bringing them home to their families.”
The Coast Guard is asking that anyone with information related to the search for these two men to please call the Fifth District Command Center at 757-398-6390.
-USCG-
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard is searching for two 65-year olds who are reported overdue after failing to return Monday from a sailing trip to the Azores, Portugal.
Missing are Virginia Beach natives Yanni Nikopoulos and Gale Jones.
Coast Guard Fifth District command center watchstanders received a report on June 17 from Jones’ daughter stating that she hadn’t received any communication from her mother since they departed and was concerned for their well being. While no date had been established for their return, an anticipated return date of June 20 was communicated by the daughter.
“In situations like this, where there are so many unknowns, our coordination efforts need to cast a wide and intentional net,” said Chief Brian Gainey, command duty officer. “We’re tracking cell phone and radio pings as we work with our counterparts in Bermuda to accurately determine the most intelligent search area for our air crews. It’s a lot of detective work, but it’s all in service to finding these two individuals and bringing them home to their families.”