RedactedNarrative: On Thursday, March 08, 2018, at approximately 1730, I, Officer received a call from our Raleigh Dispatch about a boating incident near Walnut Island in Grandy, NC.   I arrived on scene at Barry's Walnut Island Restaurant at approximately 1800 hours.  I was advised that the operator of a peddle boat (Vessel 1), Operator and an occupant were being transported to Albemarle Hospital located in Elizabeth City, NC.   I was advised that Vessel 1 was unable to be brought to shore due to the amount of water inside the hull.   I and Officer responded to Albemarle Hospital at approximately 1900 hours.   We were advised that the occupant was deceased.   We spoke with the operator of Vessel 1, Operator.  
  
  Operator stated that he and Occupant were staying at an Airbnb (rental house) located in Grandy, NC.  Operator stated that he and Occupant left the residence on Vessel 1 at approximately 1330.  They peddled towards the sound for approximately an hour to an hour and a half.  They turned Vessel 1 around and started peddling back towards the residence.  After about ten to fifteen minutes, they noticed the vessel tipping over.  They tried to level the vessel out but it capsized.   
  
  Operator stated they tried to empty the water from the vessel for approximately an hour to an hour and a half.  Operator then noticed Occupant struggling.  Operator then carried Occupant onto the closest shoreline and started yelling for help.  Operator stated he was taken to an ambulance when help arrived.  
  I spoke with the reporting party on Friday, March 09, 2018.  Reporting party stated that he had left Barry's Walnut Island Restaurant at approximately 1730 on Thursday, March 08, 2018 to go to his duck blind to retrieve his blind license and owl decoy.  When he arrived at his blind, he heard loud screaming coming from the direction of Long Point.  Reporting party then took his vessel in the direction of the screaming.  Reporting party saw a capsized peddle boat approximately 1,000 yards offshore.  
  Reporting party then saw an individual standing on shore waving his arms for help.  Reporting party then took his vessel to the shore line.  Upon arrival, Reporting party saw the body of Occupant laying in the water face up and above water level.  Reporting party then jumped from his vessel and checked Occupant for a pulse.  No pulse was found.  Reporting party also observed that Occupant' s stomach was swollen and there were bubbles coming from the nose and mouth area.  Reporting party then loaded Operator into his boat and took him to shore.  Operator was turned over to EMS.  Reporting party and two Currituck County Sheriff's Department Detectives then returned to Long Point and retrieved the body of Occupant.  No PFDs were on board Vessel 1 or used by the operator or occupant.
  
  Vessel 1 was tied off to a duck blind off Long Point and has been unable to be removed from the Currituck Sound due to wind and water conditions.
  
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  PLEASE NOTE:  OPERATOR HAD BEEN DRINKING.  HOWEVER, THAT WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF THIS ACCIDENT.  OPERATOR INEXPERIENCE AND WEATHER WERE THE CAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT.
  THERE WAS ALSO NO PFDS ON BOARD OR USED BY THE OPERATOR OR FATAL VICTIM.
  
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