TowBoatUS captain missing after vessel capsizes near Pungo River

Captain was towing recreational boat

The Coast Guard and other agencies are searching for a man in the Pungo River near Hobucken Thursday.

Watchstanders at Station Hobucken received a call at approximately 1:20 a.m. reporting a 21-foot TowBoatUS vessel had capsized while towing a 47-foot recreational boat near the Pungo River entrance.

A 45-year-old TowBoatUS captain was aboard the capsized vessel and is still missing. He was reported to be wearing coveralls, rubber boots and a lifejacket. A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew launched from Station Hobucken and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew launched from Air Station Elizabeth City.

Coast Guard crews are on scene searching along with North Carolina Wildlife and Beaufort County crews. The one man aboard the recreational boat being towed was taken to shore by a North Carolina Wildlife crew to be evaluated by EMS.

“We’re working closely with our state and local partners,” said Cmdr. Matthew Moorlag, search and rescue mission coordinator for the case. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as we continue to search.”