Yesterday afternoon I heard a strange call from SV Dream Catcher on the VHF to the Coast Guard. He said he was heading south on the ICW just a bit north of Coinjock (mile 50) NC and had just been run into by another sailboat heading north...and there seemed to be no one aboard and the engine was running and a sail was up. Dream Catcher did not stop but was proceding to Coinjock with minor damage.
I asked myself "How in the hell do you get run into by another sailboat on the ICW? " and I still have no answer to that one....BUT..after a few hours a BoatUS boat arrived on the scene and found the larger boat (A Beneteau 47) aground with engine running and sail up. From the enclosed story...sometime between 1:00 and 2:30 yesterday afternoon, the owner went overboard in the narrow, calm and shallow waters of the ICW. The search continues this morning.
Beez and others out there singlehanding...please "buckle up" whenever you are out there alone...regardless of the conditions.
Coast Guard Searching for Missing Boater
Posted By
John on January 6th, 2008
PORTSMOUTH, Va. - The Coast Guard is searching for a missing boater after two sailboats collided in the Intracoastal Waterway near Elizabeth City, N.C., today.
Missing is John Martins of Suffolk, Va.
The 33-foot sailboat Dreamcatcher with two people onboard was struck by the 47-foot sailboat Marissa during transit in the I.C.W., at approximately 2:30 p.m. After the collision, the Marissa continued on course without stopping. The owner/operator of the Dreamcatcher notified the Coast Guard that there was no indication of anyone on the Marissa at the time of the collision. The Marissa was later located at 3 p.m. in a marsh by Tow Boat U.S. There was no one present in or around the vessel, but the motor was running and the sails were up. In addition, a wallet belonging to Martins was found.
Martins last spoke to his wife via telephone at approximately 1 p.m. today.
A MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Elizabeth City, and a 21-foot boat crew from Station Elizabeth City are searching.