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Coast Guard suspend search for missing swimmer off Emerald Isle, North Carolina

Posted at 9:40 AM, Jun 11, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-11 15:39:17-04

WILMINGTON, N.C. – Coast Guard crews and locals are searched for a missing swimmer in the 7900 block of Emerald Isle.

Watchstanders were notified around 8 p.m. Saturday that a 17-year-old was reportedly seen getting into the water and not resurfacing off Emerald Isle Beach.

The Coast Guard Cutter Sheerwater, a 24-foot Special Purpose Craft-Shallow Water (SPC-SW) crew from Station Emerald Isle, a 29-foot Response Boat-Small crew from Station Fort Macon, and a Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Elizabeth City launched and searched throughout the night.

After searching for over 25 hours and covering 129 square nautical miles, the Coast Guard suspended the search.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the young man,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Lance Sobel, duty watchstander at Sector North Carolina. “Making the choice to suspend a search is never an easy choice and one the Coast Guard doesn’t take lightly.”