Coast Guard searches for fishing boat crew member
The Coast Guard was searching Friday for a fisherman who reportedly fell overboard late Thursday about 66 miles southeast of Beaufort Inlet.
Posted — UpdatedAllen Nelson Jr., 55, is a crewmember aboard the fishing vessel Scarlett Lady.
Crewmembers of the fishing vessel Shelly called Coast Guard watchstanders Thursday evening, relaying that crew on the Scarlet Lady had witnessed Nelson falling overboard. He was wearing yellow rain gear and no life jacket at the time, witnesses said. The crew also reported they threw a life ring to him but didn't know whether he was able to get the ring.
Search and rescue air crews aboard an HC-130 Hercules airplane and MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters from Air Station Elizabeth City searched for him Thursday night and continued to search Friday.
The crews of the Shelly and the Scarlett Lady and the Coast Guard Cutter Seahorse, an 87-foot patrol boat, also participated in search efforts.
As a result of coordination between the Coast Guard and the Navy Second Fleet Maritime Operations Center, the USS Taylor, an Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate, was also able to assist in the search. The Taylor, which was the first search asset on scene aside from the Shelly and Scarlett Lady, was in the area en route to Hampton Roads, Va., when the crew heard the call and diverted to assist searching.
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