A missing mariner was rescued the night of May 6 after his boat washed ashore in North Carolina without him aboard, officials said.
Knewz.com has learned that the man set off Monday afternoon in a small, inflatable catamaran sailboat from the Harvey public sound access at 6912 South Croatan Highway in Nags Head, N.C., according to Nags Head Fire Rescue.
That evening, his boat was found washed ashore north of the access at Jockey's Ridge State Park, and multiple agencies responded shortly before 7 p.m. to search for him.
"With strong west/southwest winds, two to three feet of swell, and cold water, the situation was very serious," Nags Head Fire Rescue said in a statement on Tuesday, May 7.
While a crew in a rescue boat worked to understand the wind and drift pattern and initiate a search grid, they heard someone yelling from the water.
"Thanks to swift coordination, we were able to safely bring him aboard our vessel in less than an hour from being called to the scene," Nags Head Fire Rescue said.
Dare County EMS met the rescue boat on shore and transported the man to The Outer Banks Hospital.
Despite having been adrift in the water for around five hours, the man fully recovered, according to U.S. Coast Guard Station Oregon Inlet, which participated in the search. The Coast Guard said it recovered "what remained" of the man's vessel.
"This case serves as a reminder to the public: life jackets SAVE LIVES, and to plan your voyages according to the weather," the Coast Guard said.
"This is the power of teamwork," Nags Head Fire Rescue said. "Huge thanks to our PD, Jockey's Ridge State Park, Dare County EMS, and the U.S. Coast Guard for their rapid response and collaboration. Together, we made sure this call ended successfully. Stay safe out there!"
—TMX contributed to this report.
