Captain of Sailboat Missing in Intracoastal Waterway

After two sailboats collied, one boat was reported derelict

January 7, 2008

PASQUOTANK COUNTY NC NEWS -- The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended their search for John Martins of Suffolk, Virginia, Captain of the 47-foot sailboat Marissa. The Marissa collided in the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway near Elizabeth City, North Carolina with the 33-foot sailboat Dreamcatcher.

At approximately 2:30 p.m. on January 6, 2007, the Dreamcatcher with two people onboard was struck by the Marissa during transit in the Intracoastal Waterway. After the collision, the Marissa continued on course without stopping.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, and a 21-foot boat crew from Coast Guard Station Elizabeth City, were dispatched to the scene of the sailboats collision after being contacted by the Captain of the Dreamcatcher.

The Captain of the Dreamcatcher notified the Coast Guard that there was no indication of anyone on the Marissa at the time of the collision. The Marissa was later located at 3:00 p.m., in a marsh by Tow Boat U.S. No crew was present in or around the vessel, but the motor was running and the sails were up. In addition, a wallet belonging to Mr. Martins was found. John Martins of Suffolk, Virginia last spoke to his wife by telephone at approximately 1:00 p.m. the day of the accident.