Officials: Missing 80-year-old boater found alive near Hatteras Island

An unconscious 80-year-old man was rescued Sunday from his boat 15 hours after his family reported him missing.

Officials with the United States Coast Guard said the boater's family contacted authorities around 5 p.m. Saturday to say that he had not returned home from his 8 a.m. excursion.

A search involving multiple agencies began immediately. Crews searched by helicopter and by boat overnight and into the morning.

The man was found adrift in his 18-foot boat about eight miles northeast of Hatteras Island around 8:30 a.m. Rescuers said he was unconscious but breathing.

The man was transported to Avon Medical Center.

Officials have not released his identity or information about his condition.