PORTSMOUTH, Va. – The Coast Guard has suspended their search for an overdue French boater between North Carolina and New York City.
The 39-foot sailing vessel Nennette, owned and operated by 73-year-old French sailor Joseph Calland. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy of Maritime Rescue Coordination Center Gris-Nez/Released)
At approximately 7 a.m. Wednesday, watchstanders in the 5th Coast Guard District Command Center in Portsmouth received a report that a 73-year-old sailor named Joseph Calland aboard the 39-foot sailboat Nennette is overdue.
Coast Guard units from the mid-Atlantic region conducted preliminary searches from Calland’s last known port of call in Beaufort, North Carolina, to his intended destination in New York City.
Watchstanders received a mayday call at 11:20 p.m. Sunday about 45 miles southeast of Cape Henry, Virginia from a French sailor who was later confirmed to be Calland.
Coast Guard and Navy crews searched the area from where the distress call was made but did not find any signs of distress.
The Coast Guard’s search encompassed 11,104 square miles.
“Suspending a search for a missing or overdue boater is never an easy decision to make,” said Lt. Cmdr. Wes Geyer, search and rescue mission coordinator, with the 5th Coast Guard District Command Center. “We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the loved ones of Joseph Calland.”
Anyone with information about Calland or his sailboat should contact the 5th District Command Center at (757) 398-6390 or RCCNorfolk@uscg.mil.
