RedactedNarrative: On January 23, 2016 at 2150, received a call from Hatteras Island Rescue Squad reference an overdue duck hunter who went duck hunting near Hatteras Inlet on Dredge Island earlier that day by boat.  Talking with Hatteras Island Rescue Squad and observing the weather, I determined the weather was to be too hazardous to respond that night.  I informed Sgt by phone of the situation.  The next morning, January 24, 2016, Sgt was on scene assisting with the investigation and search of the missing boater.   January 25th and 26th,  Officer and myself were conducting the boating incident investigation and searching for the missing boater.  The search consisted of multiple vessels, helicopter, side scan sonar and persons searching shoreline for several days.        
  Events which occurred around the time of the incident: 
  
  On January 23, 2016, Operator called his friend multiple times 1:30, 1:45, 2:30 and 3:30 pm.  Operator told Friend he shot one brant and he would be back in after dark.  At approximately 7:30 pm Friend attempted calling Operator with no answer.  Friend drove down to Hatteras Harbor at approximately 7:45 pm and Operator's boat was not there.  Friend called Operator's business partner and told him Operator had not returned.  Subject called another person and U.S. Coast Guard. 
  
  On 23 January 2016 approximately 8:05 pm, Subject2 received a call from Subject3 reference Operator not returning from a hunting trip.  Subject then contacted Hatteras Island Rescue Squad and the U.S. Coast Guard reference Operator not returning.  Subjects met at Oden Dock approximately 9:00 pm, got underway and headed to Dredge Island where Operator was hunting.  At 9:15 pm they found Operator's boat and went to the duck blind.  The door on the duck blind was shut and secured.  Subject opened the door and saw inside was Operator's hunting gear packed up with his gun in a case as if he was leaving the duck blind.  At that time the three began to search the Dredge Island area.  After a short search they took their boat alongside Operator's boat and noticed the forward anchor line was cut and wrapped around the propeller of the outboard engine.  The engine was trimmed up with the anchor line attached to it.  The key was in the ignition and turned off.  Inside the boat was a pair of gloves, multiple Brant, and an anchor in the boat.  Subject used this anchor to secure the boat from the bow.   
  
  On 24 January 2016, the people searching the shoreline found a pair of chest waders on Pole Road in between the cable crossing and the inlet believed to belong to Operator.   
  
  At the time of the report synopsis Operator is considered a missing person.
  
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  PLEASE NOTE:  THIS IS A PRELIMINARY REPORT AND SUBJECT, OPERATOR, IS CONSIDERED A MISSING PERSON.
  
  THIS REPORT WILL BE UPDATED ONCE MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE FROM THE OFFICER THAT PREPARED THIS REPORT.
  
  **NOTHING FURTHER AT THIS TIME**
   
  