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Coast Guard suspends search for missing NC boater

The Coast Guard has suspended its search for a man missing since his jon boat sank near the New River Inlet in North Carolina.

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FORT MACON, N.C. — The Coast Guard suspended its search for a man missing since his jon boat sank near the New River Inlet in North Carolina on Saturday, but local emergency crews continued the rescue effort Sunday.

Two men from the Benson area were out floundering in the boat Friday night when waters got rough and the boat tipped over, an Onslow County spokeswoman said. One man was able to swim to a floating barrel to stay above water, but he lost sight of the other man, who authorities said was 25. 

The man holding the barrel cut the rope tied to it and swam to shore using the barrel as a flotation device.

He called 911 shortly after 10:45 p.m.

The Coast Guard searched for six hours over 15 miles near Stump Sound and Ellis Cove Friday night and Saturday morning. The North Topsail Beach Fire Department and the Onslow County sheriff's dive team used boats and divers to continue the search Sunday and planned to investigate further on Monday.

The boaters' names were not released.

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