Coast Guard Suspends Search for Missing Boater

The Coast Guard has suspended the search for a person who went missing when their boat capsized in rough waters off Salisbury.

The announcement was made Wednesday morning after 17 hours of searching.

The Coast Guard and local authorities responded to the mouth of the Merrimack River at about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday for reports of an overturned boat with two people clinging to the hull.

One person was rescued from a nearby jetty and brought to the hospital. 

The crew of a Coast Guard vessel spotted the other person facedown and apparently unconscious in the water. But while attempting to rescue him, the boat was struck by an eight- to 10-foot breaking wave and lost sight of the man.

Neither boater was wearing a lifejacket.

The search covered approximately 67 miles of track line in a 14 square mile area. It will remain suspended pending any new information.

No names were released.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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