CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Coast Guard, along with crews from local agencies, is searching for two overdue boaters, Thursday, reportedly fishing aboard an 18-foot bass boat in the vicinity of the Charleston Jetties.
Missing are Joseph McFadden, 77 years old, and Michael Lawrence, 61 years old.
Watchstanders in the Coast Guard Sector Charleston command center were notified of the overdue boaters at approximately 10:30 a.m., by Charleston County Consolidated Dispatch. The initial report stated the two departed for a fishing trip Wednesday morning and were scheduled to return Wednesday evening. The report also stated that their truck and trailer were still at the pier, Thursday.
Crewmembers aboard a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium from Coast Guard Station Charleston were launched to search. Crewmembers aboard the 87-foot Coast Guard Cutter Yellowfin, from Charleston, and a crew aboard an RBM from Coast Guard Station Georgetown, S.C., were also launched. A crew aboard an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Facility Charleston was diverted to assist in the search. Watchstanders also issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast to alert boaters in the area of the situation.
A crew aboard an HC-130 Hercules airplane from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., has also been launched to assist in the search.
Other agencies involved in the search include crews from the North Charleston Police Department, Mount Pleasant Police Department, Charleston County Sheriff’s Office and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
Anyone with any information that could assist search crews are urged to contact the Coast Guard Sector Charleston command center at: 843-740-7050.
For more information contact the Coast Guard 7th District Public Affairs Detachment Jacksonville at 305-318-1864.
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