News Release

United States Coast Guard suspends search efforts for missing swimmer near Oregon Inlet

Date: July 3, 2019
Contact: Boone Vandzura, 252-475-8307

United States Coast Guard search efforts have been suspended for a 60-year-old male who was last seen swimming near Oregon Inlet.

Additional details:

• At 9:17 a.m. this morning, a 60-year-old male ocean swimmer was reported missing near Oregon Inlet.
• The swimmer was visiting from Raleigh, North Carolina.
• The individual started his swim on a boogie board approximately three quarters of a mile south of off-road vehicle ramp 4. The boogie board was later found in the water between the remaining section of the Bonner Bridge and the Marc Basnight Bridge.
• A low risk of rip currents was forecast for the area.
• The United States Coast Guard, North Carolina Marine Patrol, Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Park Service Rangers all helped search for the swimmer.
• United States Coast Guard search operations were conducted for sixteen and a half hours. The search area covered over 43 nautical miles.
• United States Coast Guard search efforts were suspended this evening. National Park Service Rangers will continue searching over the next several days via increased shoreline patrols.

“We are grateful for the exceptional assistance we received from the United States Coast Guard, North Carolina Marine Patrol, and the Fish and Wildlife Service,” stated National Parks of Eastern North Carolina Superintendent David Hallac.

Cape Hatteras National Seashore visitors are encouraged to call 252-473-3444 to report any information that could help locate the missing swimmer.