On May 16, 2010 at approx 1900 hrs I was on saltwater patrol in the Isle of Hope area, just across from the Isle of Hope Marina when I noticed a boat adrift near the dock and two people in the water.  At least three other people were in the boat and were motioning me to come over.  As I headed in their direction the two swimmers climbed out of the water onto the dock and also began motioning me to come over.  Once I was close enough I could hear them shouting that someone had just fallen out of their boat and had not resurfaced.  My side scan sonar was already in operation and I immediately got my vessel in place to begin a search.  I advised GSP of the matter and asked that SCMPD be contacted.  Over the next few minutes I was told by the witnesses that the missing person had fallen in from the vessel very near to the dock and was advised of an approximate location that he entered the water.  I continued to scan the area with the sonar equipment starting in the location of the victim's entry and expanding as much as possible around the docks and parked vessels.  The area was very congested with many boats moored to each side of the slips.  With the help of a good samaritan, captain of a yacht moored at the marina, I continued to search visually and with side scan in and around the dock and moored vessels from my vessel.  Over the next few minutes many personnel from SCMPD, local Fire Department, USCG arrived as well as other DNR Rangers.  Corporal, Rangers  got in with me and aided in the continued search.  We identified several targets of interest and relayed their location to the Chatham County Dive Team.  Each location was investigated and nothing found.  We continued to scan the area for several hours with no luck.  After the dive team terminated their search for the night, Chatham County Marine Patrol Officer and I conducted a search of the area with the body drag with no results.  Ranger arrived at approximately 5 am (5/17/10) to relieve me.  The body of the victim (b/m) surfaced and was recovered around 0730 on 5/18/10.
Isle of Hope                  