Media Availability: Coast Guard suspends search for missing 34-year old boater

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 05/04/2021 01:34 PM EDT

united states coast guard 

Media Advisory  

U.S. Coast Guard 5th District Mid-Atlantic
Contact: 5th District Public Affairs
Office: (757) 398-6272
After Hours: (757) 295-8435
5th District online newsroom

Media Advisory: Coast Guard suspends search for missing 34-year old boater

Who: Coast Guard Capt. Samson Stevens, Commander of Sector Virginia

What: To discuss the suspension of search efforts for the missing boater, Russell Hines

Where: USCG Base Portsmouth: 4000 Coast Guard Blvd, Portsmouth, VA

When: Tuesday, May 4, 2021, at 4 p.m.

Media interested in attending must RSVP with Coast Guard Fifth District Public Affairs at d5de@uscg.mil or by calling (757) 295-8435.

 

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard suspended its search Tuesday for Russell Hines, a 34 year-old boater who was reported overdue Monday morning.

The Coast Guard initially received the report of the missing man from the James City County Sheriff’s Office at approximately 10 a.m. Monday.

Crews from the Coast Guard Cutter Dolphin, Station Portsmouth and Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, searched a total of 234 square miles and a total of 45 asset hours.

“We grieve with Mr. Hines’s loved ones and offer them our deepest condolences,” says Cmdr. Jason Ingram, Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator for Coast Guard Sector Virginia. “Thank you to all of our crew members and local partner agencies for your efforts. We are suspending this search with very heavy hearts. I ask that all boaters please use all available safety measures on the water including engine disabling switches, life jackets, locator beacons, and float plans.”

Partnering agencies also participated in the search effort on shore, air, and sea:

  • James City County Fire Department
  • James City County Police Department
  • Virginia Marine Resources Commission
  • Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
  • West Point Volunteer Fire Department
  • Prince George’s County Fire Department
  • Newport News Fire Department
  • York County Fire Department
  • Surry County Sheriff’s Office
  • Port of Virginia Maritime Incident Response Team

-USCG-