Missing boater’s vessel found empty off Wrightsville Beach

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — A missing boater’s vessel has been found off the coast with no one on board.

According to the Coast Guard, another vessel discovered the boat Tuesday morning around 83 miles east of Wrightsville Beach.

The boat had fishing gear engaged and was moving northeast at around six miles per hour, according to the Coast Guard.

The person contacted the Coast Guard who is investigating. An urgent alert for any nearby vessels to assist in the search was issued.

Police said 47-year-old Jeffrey Kale was fishing in the Atlantic Ocean on Saturday when he went missing. 

Kale was in a 32-foot Cape Horn boat with hull number NC4431FA.