OI boater lost overboard

[fishinmagician_IV]

By Erin James
Mike Hixenbaugh
The Virginian-Pilot
© April 10, 2011
OREGON INLET, N.C.

The search for a 28-year-old Richmond man who went missing after a boat was hit by a swell in Oregon Inlet this morning has been suspended, Coast Guard Cmdr. Billy Mitchell said.

Rescue crews, including a helicopter, had been searching since about 8:30 a.m. for Christopher Panchyshyn. He and two other passengers were ejected from the 26-foot boat when it was struck by a series of waves, Mitchell said.

“It is a shame that we weren’t able to find the victim,” Mitchell said Saturday night. “We put a good amount of resources into the search.”

Mitchell said the search will be restarted "only if there were significant developments that will indicate that they'll find the victim."

The owner of the boat was able to turn around and recover the other two passengers.

Panchyshyn was not wearing a life jacket.

The boat hit rough tide and took on about 2 feet of water a half-mile to three-quarters of a mile from Bonner Bridge on the ocean side of the inlet.

"They were coming back through the inlet when they encountered some choppy conditions," Mitchell said. “The boat did not capsize, but they took on a lot of water.”

Mitchell said the accident was unrelated to increased shoaling near the bridge, where a dredge has been working 12 hours a day to keep the inlet passable.

"It’s a difficult bar entrance, in general," he said.

Earlier this week, Coast Guard officials recommended that vessels more than 80 feet or 100 gross tons be banned from the inlet because of safety concerns.

Pilot writer Jennifer Jiggetts contributed to this report.

[offshore]

Sad day indeed. My prayers go out to the families involved. For the life of me I cant see why they went out with the conditions the way they were and without vests on. I believe there were was small craft advisory. We dont leave the dock without our vests on. Really sad...Mark

[LuckyLady]

Just terrible! Thoughts are with the families and friends..

Sadly a lot of us should be wearing life vests at all times but I am guilty of not wearing one too

[Capt. Lyndon]

My thoughts and prayers go out to the all involved and their families.