CAPE ROMAIN, S.C. — The Coast Guard is assisting Charleston County Rescue Tuesday in the search for a missing boater in the vicinity of Raccoon Key, South Carolina.
Two of the three mariners were located on Raccoon Key Island by Charleston County Rescue personnel and reported no injuries, but suffering from symptoms of hypothermia.
Watchstanders in the Coast Guard Sector Charleston Command Center were notified of the case at 7:30 p.m., by one of the mariners’ girlfriend. She reported the three mariners were fishing aboard a 16-foot skiff in the vicinity of Muddy Bay at 8:20 p.m., when they became disoriented due to foggy conditions in the area. All three individuals vacated their vessel on Raccoon Key Island. Two of the mariners stayed together but one of the three reportedly separated from the group and remains missing. The vessel reportedly drifted away to a nearby sandbar, with no persons aboard.
The Coast Guard launched an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Facility Charleston at 9:28 p.m. The helicopter crew arrived on scene at 10:20 p.m., and began searching in the vicinity of Raccoon Key Island.
Charleston County Rescue crews are leading the search using boats. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources crewmembers are also on scene, searching with boats.
For more information on Charleston County Rescue, contact 843-209-1833 or 843-303-0122.
For more information contact the Coast Guard Public Affairs Detachment North at 305-318-1864.