Search continues missing marina worker at Lake Norman

CHARLOTTE — Authorities have resumed their search for a marina worker missing after a party boat exploded at Lake Norman.

Cliff Champion owns Championship II, a three-story, 70-foot yacht that’s part of Championship Yacht Charters. It exploded Tuesday afternoon as it was being refueled at a marina on the
southern end of Lake Norman in Lincoln County.

Five people were on board when an explosion hit as the boat returned from a graduation party.

Champion said he and one other person got off the boat, while two crew members jumped from the boat’s second level. A larger explosion then occurred.

Champion said others reported seeing the third crew member go over the side of the boat.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)