Missing man’s boat found aground in VA river with engine running — and no one on board
The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for a 34-year-old man after his boat was discovered Monday with the engine running and no one on board.
Russell Hines was reported missing at 10 a.m. Monday, prompting the Coast Guard and several local agencies to start looking for him. His 29-foot boat was found run aground in the James River near Williamsburg, Virginia, “with signs of recent occupancy,” the Coast Guard said.
Officials called off the search Tuesday after covering 234 square miles..
“We are suspending this search with very heavy hearts,” said Cmdr. Jason Ingram, search and rescue mission coordinator for Coast Guard Sector Virginia. “I ask that all boaters please use all available safety measures on the water including engine disabling switches, life jackets, locator beacons, and float plans.”
A small boat crew from the Coast Guard station in Portsmouth along with an 87-foot patrol boat known as the Coast Guard Cutter Dolphin were sent to search for Hines. An MH-60 Jayhawk rescue helicopter from Elizabeth City in North Carolina was also sent.
At least seven agencies from the surrounding area — including fire and police departments as well as marine and wildlife resources — also helped, officials said.
This story was originally published May 3, 2021 at 6:00 PM with the headline "Missing man’s boat found aground in VA river with engine running — and no one on board."
