US Coast Guard Suspends Search For Missing 7-Year-Old Presumed Lost at Sea
DAUPHIN ISLAND Ala.
December 2, 2024
The U.S. Coast Guard has notified our news desk that they have decided to suspend their current search for a missing 7-year-old boy near Dauphin Island, Alabama, presumed lost at sea.
The vessel, MARTY ANN, departed from Billy Goat Hole Boat Ramp on Dauphin Island on Friday afternoon but after it did not return as scheduled and family members could not reach the vessel, the U. S. Coast Guard Sector Mobile was called and efforts to locate the vessel soon got underway.
The Coast Guard issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and directed the launch of an Aviation Training Center Mobile HC-144 aircrew and a Coast Guard Station Dauphin Island response-boat medium boat crew to begin searching
The USCG stated that on Saturday, a debris field was found about nine miles south of Dauphin Island, where the bodies of Sam Wooley, 69, and Michael Slezak, 40, were recovered.
However, there were no signs of the seven-year-old who was also onboard.
Capt. Robert Tucker, Deputy Commander of Coast Guard Sector Mobile, expressed condolences, stating that suspending the search for a missing child is an exceptionally difficult decision, made only after exhaustive efforts. He thanked all of the search and rescue crews for their determination.
“We are deeply saddened and offer our sincerest condolences to the families, friends, and communities affected by this heartbreaking and tragic incident,” said Capt. Robert Tucker, Coast Guard Sector Mobile, Deputy Commander. “Suspending an active search for a missing child is an exceptionally difficult decision and is only made after the most exhaustive efforts have occurred. We thank all the search and rescue crews who worked with determination around the clock with hopes of a different outcome.”
Rescue crews involved in the search:
Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile
Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans
Coast Guard Station Dauphin Island
Coast Guard Cutter Ridley
Alabama Law Enforcement Agency
Dauphin Island Police Department
Mississippi Wing – Civil Air Patrol
Lower Alabama Search and Rescue
Multiple good Samaritan boaters
