Coast Guard suspends search for missing 50-year-old boater

November 25, 2019 | Local News

The Coast Guard has suspended its search for a 50-year-old man who was reported missing while transiting from New York to Florida aboard his 35-foot recreational vessel, Monday.

Michael Bye was reported missing while aboard his boat, the H.M.S. Me II.

Watchstanders at the Coast Guard’s Fifth District command center were notified at 7:40 p.m., Thursday that Bye had failed to make contact at an agreed upon time by a family member.

The Coast Guard searched approximately 10,000 square miles using assets and personnel from the following units:

Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City
Coast Guard Station Hobucken
Coast Guard Station Hatteras Inlet
Coast Guard Station Emerald Isle
Coast Guard Station Wrightsville Beach
Coast Guard Station Fort Macon
Coast Guard Station Oak Island
Coast Guard Station Ocracoke
Coast Guard Station Elizabeth City

“The decision to suspend a search-and-rescue case is never one we come to lightly,” said Capt. Jeffrey Janszen, Chief of Response for the Fifth Coast Guard District. “We offer our deepest sympathies to the family of Mr. Bye in this difficult time.”