A fisherman has been missing off the coast of North Carolina for nearly a week, and authorities fear the worst after his boat was found adrift with no sign of its owner.
The U.S. Coast Guard said Jeffrey Kale, 47, was last seen leaving the Southport Wildlife boat ramp around 4 p.m. Saturday.
Officials said the second search was called off Thursday night around 8 p.m.
The Coast Guard said in a press release that authorities have reinvigorated rescue efforts after Kale’s 32-foot Cape Hope center console boat was discovered early Tuesday morning 133 miles off the coast of Wrightsville Beach.
“Our deepest sympathies go out to the Kale family at this difficult time,” the commander said. Cory Sargent, North Carolina Sector Deputy Commander.
“In order to save lives at sea, our rescue workers train and operate every day with the hope of bringing people home safely. That’s why the decision to call off the search is so important to us. “It’s really one of the most difficult things for a service member to do, and we’re not taking it lightly,” he added.
“We are grateful to various Navy assets, commercial assistance and several good Samaritans who assisted in the search.”
Over the past few days, air and sea rescue crews have spent a total of about 100 man hours searching for Kale, the Coast Guard noted.
The effort also received support from “several good Samaritan boaters,” the release states.
