ATLANTIC BEACH, N.C. – The Coast Guard continues to search Friday for a 67-year-old man who is overdue from a fishing trip off Atlantic Beach.
Kathy Hayes called Coast Guard Station Fort Macon at approximately 9:30 p.m. Thursday and told watchstanders that Michael Dodick was overdue. She indicated his plans were to go to Big Rock to go fish.
At about 12:45 p.m. Friday, a 9-1-1 operator told Coast Guard watchstanders that Dodick’s boat was found washed up on the beach at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejune, N.C. “A clear indication his inteneded plans to fish at Big Rock must have changed.” said Lt. j.g. Scott Hembrook, public affairs officer at Sector N.C.
Dodick launched his 28-foot Grady boat Friday from Anchorage Marina in Atlantic Beach yesterday morning. and was supposed to return at 4 p.m.
Coast Guard crews have been searching for the boat throughout the night aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Block Island, 47-foot rescue boats from Station Fort Macon, and an HC-130J Hercules airplane and MH-60J Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Elizabeth City.
A Pedro helicopter rescue crew from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point and military police at Camp Lejeune are also searching.
“Since finding the boat the case has shifted to searching for a person in the water,” Lt. j.g. Hembrook “The Coast Guard is deploying all available assets and coordinating with the Marines for the search.
“Mariners are also encouraged to provide detailed float plans with a friend or loved one in writing and when those plans change make sure to notify those contacts ashore. Mariners should also consider VHF radios equipped with digital selective calling, and registering that radio with all of their information. This will give the mariner capabilities to send their distress signal much further and will aid in search and rescue coordination efforts. “
