On 8/28/2010, Operatorr departed his residence around 9:00am.  He traveled to carolina seafood inc located on muddy creek by vehicle.  He was seen at carolina seafood washing his crab fishing boat on shore by owner of carolina seafood at around 10:00am.  He was later seen by another subject around 11:00am.  He was still on shore cleaning his crab boat.  The uscg received a call of a vessel going round and round in circles in muddy creek at around 12:45pm.  Once the coast guard was on scene, they were able to get one of their officers in the vessel and stop the vessel.  The vessel was nc 0817wn, a 21' southern skimmer that was registered to Operator.  There was an unidentified vessel that recovered a green tote with several type 1 pfds, 1 type 4pfd, and a fire extinguisher.  Operator's truck and trailer were unattended backed in the water at the boat ramp with the truck still running.  I was notified of possible boating accident at 2:42pm by raleigh communications.  Once i was at carolina seafood, i spoke with the son.  He informed me that his father had come there to wash his crab boat.  After washing it, he takes it out in muddy creek and circles around while pouring water in the boat to wash off any cleaner that might remain.  He stated that is was common for his father to leave the truck and trailer backed in the water while rinsing his boat.  Due to several health issues, operator had been advised by his doctor not to be involved in water activities.

Search for Operator was conducted by several agencies until 1:40am on 8/29/2010, at this time the search was called off and would resume at 7:00am. 

Operator was located at around 12:55pm by the owners of carolina seafood.  Operatorr's body was recovered when he surfaced.  Operator's body was recovered within yards of the location that the coast guard had stopped his vessel.  Operator's body was transported to beaufort county hospital by aurora rescue squad.

AURORA                        