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At approximately 12:10 p.m. on July 6, 2020, a vessel contacted the Currituck County Sheriff’s office to report it was taking on water in the Currituck Sound in the area of Brumley Rd. in Moyock.

According to a release from NC Wildlife Resources Commission Officer Jeff Doran, the driver, David Messengale, stated that he realized his boat was taking water and informed his family. Messengale is a Moyock resident.

The report stated that Messengale’s mother jumped off of the boat with the two minor children that were aboard and swam with them away from the vessel, for fear of getting sucked under water if the boat fully sank.

In all, five individuals safely departed the vessel and were recovered by Currituck County Sherriff’s Office, a good Samaritan and an off-duty investigator from Kill Devil Hills.

The sheriff’s office and off duty deputy returned to the sound after bringing in the individuals and towed the boat to the dock, where the boat was able to be pulled out and returned to the trailer.

At the dock, it was discovered that the vessel had a hose used to discharge water from the vessel that became disconnected and allowed water to enter the vessel uncontrolled. The vessel became swamped with water, however due to modern boat designs, did not sink completely.

READ MORE IN OUR ON THE WATER SECTION HERE.