Coast Guard still in search of missing boater in Oak Island

OAK ISLAND, NC (WWAY) — Family and friends of a boater who has been missing for more than three weeks are still waiting for answers about his disappearance. 

A Coast Guard spokesperson said they’re still actively searching for Jeffrey Kale, the 47-year-old that was last seen fishing in the Atlantic Ocean, near Oak Island, on April 6. 

Three days later, another vessel spotted the 32 ft. boat Kale had been operating around 83 miles east of Wrightsville Beach. According to the Coast Guard, the boat had fishing gear engaged and was moving northeast at around 6 mph. 

The vessel was recovered by Sea Tow of Wrightsville Beach. Jon Geiss is the Assistant Manager of Sea Tow, he said the boat is still in their possession. 

“So, we’re still working with the co-owner’s insurance company right now, in order to work everything out on their end. We are still trying to get the vessel back to the owners. We’re just waiting for the insurance company to finish what they need,” Geiss said. 

According to the Oak Island Police Department, rescue crews searched by air and by sea for approximately 100 combined hours since the initial missing person’s report. They’ve covered more than 11,000 square miles, which is an area greater than the size of Maryland.