Kayaker rescued in multi-agency search off Hobucken, NC

News Release

March 26, 2017 U.S. Coast Guard 5th District Mid-Atlantic Contact: 5th District Public Affairs Office: (757) 398-6272 After Hours: (757) 434-7712

Kayaker rescued in multi-agency search off Hobucken, NC

WILMINGTON, N.C. — The Coast Guard assisted in finding an overdue kayaker Sunday near Hobucken.

Sector North Carolina watchstanders were notified early Sunday morning that a 55-year-old kayaker had departed from Bear Creek ramp near Hobucken and was overdue his return time.

A 24-foot Special Purpose Craft-Shallow Water crew from Station Hobucken and a HH-60J Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Elizabeth City launched to coordinate search efforts with North Carolina Wildlife, Pamlico County Sheriff’s department and Pamlico County Emergency Management personnel.

Pamlico Emergency Management boat crew located the kayaker with his kayak partially submerged. The kayaker was found without any working means of communication, life-jacket, high-visibility colors or reflective material on kayak. The man was also suffering from cold and wet exposure. 

The man was transferred to local EMS and released shortly after.  

“Wearing a life jacket while out on the water may be the difference between life and serious injury or death in an emergency,” said Cmdr. Matt Moorlag, Chief of Response at Sector North Carolina. “Kayakers should also carry a VHF-FM radio and a cell phone in a waterproof container to alert authorities quickly if assistance is needed."

-USCG-