One dead after boat capsizes

Memorial Day is known as the unofficial start to summer. And this summer is officially off to a deadly start after a boat capsized in the water off Figure Eight Island last night. Of the two people who were in the boat, only one was able to swim to shore. It is believed that the 22-foot center console boat capsized around 6 p.m. in Rich Inlet.

Rescue crews continued to search through the night. Around 1:30 Tuesday morning they found the body of the second boater. It’s unclear why the boat capsized.

Investigators say they did not get the call to begin their search until the one survivor made it to shore around 10 p.m. A Coast Guard helicopter found the body of the other passenger washed up on shore about three miles down Lee Island. Officials believe the two men are New Hanover County Residents, but don’t think they lived on Figure Eight Island.