I’ll help you create a blog post about Jeffrey Kale’s missing boater case. I’ll first do a web search to gather accurate information. Based on the search results, I’ll create the blog post about Jeffrey Kale’s missing boater case:
The mysterious disappearance of Jeffrey Kale, a 47-year-old boater from Clover, South Carolina, has captured the attention of maritime search and rescue teams along the North Carolina coast. On April 6, 2024, Kale embarked on a fishing trip aboard his white 32-foot Cape Horn center-console boat, never to return, triggering an extensive search operation that would span several critical days.
The Disappearance
According to reports from the U.S. Coast Guard, Kale’s family reported him overdue on Saturday, April 6, around 10:30 p.m. The initial notification sparked an immediate and comprehensive search effort that would ultimately cover an extraordinary area of maritime territory.
Search and Rescue Efforts
The search operation was nothing short of remarkable, involving multiple maritime and aerial resources:
- Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City deployed an HC-130 Hercules airplane
- Coastal patrol boat USCGC Steelhead (WPB 87324) joined the search
- Coast Guard Station Oak Island contributed a 29-foot Response Boat-Small
- Coast Guard Station Wrightsville Beach also deployed a 29-foot Response Boat-Small
- Multiple good Samaritan boaters assisted in the search
Search Statistics
The search was extensive and intensive, with rescue crews dedicating approximately 72 combined hours to the operation. They covered an impressive 7,762 square miles of ocean - an area nearly the size of Massachusetts - in hopes of locating Jeffrey Kale.
Boat Recovery
On April 9, 2024, Sea Tow Wrightsville Beach recovered Kale’s boat more than 90 miles offshore. The boat’s recovery added another layer of complexity to the already challenging search operation. Interestingly, there was a subsequent dispute between the boat’s co-owner and Sea Tow regarding the boat’s return, which was eventually resolved.
Search Suspension
On Monday, April 8, 2024, at 8:20 p.m., the Coast Guard made the difficult decision to suspend the active search. Commander Corrie Sergent from Sector North Carolina expressed the emotional weight of this decision, stating, “It is with heavy hearts that we suspend our active search for Mr. Kale.”
🚨 Note: The Oak Island Police Department continues to assist in the investigation of Jeffrey Kale's disappearance.
The maritime community remains hopeful, but the circumstances surrounding Kale's disappearance remain unclear. Anyone with potential information is urged to contact the Sector North Carolina command center at 910-343-3880.
When did Jeffrey Kale go missing?
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Jeffrey Kale went missing on April 6, 2024, during a fishing trip off the North Carolina coast.
What type of boat was Jeffrey Kale using?
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He was using a white 32-foot Cape Horn center-console boat with hull number NC4431FA.
How long did the Coast Guard search?
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The Coast Guard searched for approximately 72 combined hours, covering over 7,762 square miles.