RedactedNarrative: On 12/31/21, at approx 10:00am, subject launched his kayak from hammocks beach state park visitor center into the icw.  It was a clear, warm day with moderate winds and the water was choppy.  Operator was seen by hammocks beach ranger at 11:00am near the bogue inlet end of bear island.  Operator was seen having a conversation with another person and was standing near his kayak.  At around 4:45pm, park visitors found a blue in color 16' dagger baja kayak that had capsized in the waves.  Inside the kayak they found Operator's belongings including a cell phone.  The visitors were able to find an emergency contact in the phone his wife.  She was contacted and then she immediately called hammocks beach state park.  The part rangers, nc marine patrol, swansboro fire, bear creek fire and the uscg responded to the initial search.  The uscg helicopter arrived at around 9:00pm and flew until approx 11:00pm.  Park staff remained onsite all night.
  
  On 1/1/22, a command post was set up at park maintenance at hammocks beach state park at approx 9:00am.  The search that day continued until 4:00pm with the weather consisting of dense fog.  At 12:45pm Operator's paddle was found on heady's beach near bear island.  At 4:00pm the uscg received a report that a lifejacket had been recovered by a boater on 12/31/21 at approx 5:00pm.  family later confirmed that the life jacket found belonged to Operator.  Operator's body has not yet been recovered.  It is unknown if Operator was wearing his life jacket or it it was just on board the kayak.  
  
  The search for Operator has since been called off and he is presumed to be deceased.