Coast Guard suspends search for missing man in Pamlico Sound, NC

An HH-46E helicopter affectionately known as Pedro is prepared by a Marine Transport Squadron 1 crew to take off prior to search and rescue mission just off the coast of eastern North Carolina. Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point photo by Lance Cpl. Santiago G. Colon Jr.

A Marine Corps HH-46E prepares to take off from MCAS Cherry Point. USMC phot by Lance Cpl. Santiago G. Colon Jr.

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard suspended its search for the missing 22-year-old man at 4:45 p.m. Wednesday.

Missing is William Foster, 22, from Bellhaven, N.C.

The 27-foot Harvest Time, with two crewmembers aboard, was reported overdue to Coast Guard Sector North Carolina watchstanders at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Crew aboard the fishing vessel Island Girl located the Harvest Time and rescued one crewmember from the scene at 7:15 a.m. Wednesday. The rescued man stated that Foster dove under the capsized boat to retrieve life jackets and did not resurface.

“Mariners are reminded to wear a lifejacket, stay with their boat, even if it overturns, and file a float plan with a neighbor or loved one,” said Cmdr. James Mitchell, Sector North Carolina’s response department head.

Participating in the search was a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew from Coast Guard Station Elizabeth City, a 41-foot Utility Boat crew and a 24-foot response boat crew from Coast Guard Station Hobucken. A Marine Corp HH-46 Pedro search and rescue helicopter from Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, the Sidney Dive Team, and multiple local and county agencies also responded.


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