On may 2, 2012, at approximately 2:15 pm, operator stated he left carolina beach inlet and headed south in the atlantic ocean.  Approximately 15 minutes into the trip, operator stated his boat began to handle sluggishly, at which point he observed approximately 2 inches of standing water on the deck towards the rear of the boat.  Operator stated he attempted to pump the water out of his boat, but his bilge pump was not working.  He took the bilge cover off and noticed the bilge was full of water.  Operator stated the bilge began to pump water after he struck it several times with his hand.

Operator stated the boat was struck from behind by several large waves which raised the water level in the deck of the boat and knocked the power out to the engine.  They were then struck by several more waves which swamped and sank the boat.  A passenger on the boat was able to call 911 and give the dispatcher their approximately location prior to the boat sinking.  Operator and all three passengers aboard the boat swam to masonboro island and were later rescued by wrightsville beach ocean rescue and the us coast guard.

One passenger was transported to the hospital for hypothermia symptoms but was later released.

Operator's boat was never recovered.

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH            