HOUSTON — Coast Guard helicopter and boat crews, Galveston County Sheriff’s Department personnel and a good Samaritan are searching for a man who went missing Sunday morning from his 48-foot sailboat while it was anchored near Redfish Island.
Missing is Benton Scott Fleming, a man in his late fifties and described as wearing a plaid, button-up shirt, shorts and no shoes.
About 6:15 a.m. Sunday, the man's friend called Coast Guard Station Houston from the sailboat and reported that the man went topside to adjust the anchor line and did not return.
Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders launched Coast Guard Station Galveston and Coast Guard Station Houston boat crews around 6:30 a.m., to search the area. An Air Station Houston MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew launched around 7 a.m. and Galveston County Marine Division is conducting a search of the shoreline.
If anyone knows or has seen Mr. Fleming, or has any additional information that may assist the search effort, please contact the Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston command center at 281-464-4854 or on the radio at VHF Marine Channel 16.