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Coast Guard ends search for 83-year-old missing boater in Edenton Bay after body found

Posted at 9:07 AM, Nov 18, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-18 21:44:41-05

WILMINGTON, N.C. – The Coast Guard has ended its search for a missing 83-year-old man who failed to return home after fishing in Edenton Bay Saturday.

The search ended after Coast Guard search and rescue crews found a body matching the missing boater’s description around 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

According to the Coast Guard’s original release, the man’s wife told authorities at 6:30 p.m. Saturday that he had gone fishing aboard a 21-foot pontoon boat.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector North Carolina dispatched a 29-foot search and rescue boat crew as well as an HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter to assist in the search. The man’s boat and fishing gear were located shortly after the search began.

The Coast Guard said that Coast Guard Station Elizabeth City boat crews remained on scene searching throughout the night. Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City helicopter crews resumed their aerial search and rescue patterns Sunday morning.

“Our hearts go out to the families and friends affected by this tragedy,” said Capt. Bion Stewart, commander of Coast Guard Sector North Carolina. “We would like to thank our partner agencies for assisting throughout this search.

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and Chowan County Emergency Services also assisted in the search.