Sailboat washes ashore in Nags Head weeks after owner rescued by Coast Guard

Published 6:12 pm Thursday, May 25, 2023

At 7 a.m. Thursday morning, May 25, 2023, the United States Coast Guard was notified of a sailing vessel that had washed ashore on the beach in Nags Head, around milepost 10.5.

Lieutenant Andrew Jacot, USCG investigating officer, shared that the boat, a 33-ft. long sailing vessel named The True Love, lost function of its sail back on May 1. He reported that USCG received a call that day from 90 miles off of Cape Hatteras. A French citizen owns The True Love. The call came from a nearby sailing vessel, Sea Span Kobi.

Get the latest headlines sent to you

Due to hazardous conditions and a three-horse power motor, The True Love had to be towed to shore by the Coast Guard. A 154ft. long USCG cutter, McShan, responded to the call and towed The True Love towards the coast. About 8 miles offshore, the weather conditions were too treacherous to tow the boat any further, and it was anchored in place. USCG transported the owner to Virginia, and the owner then flew back to his residence in France. Jacot said that since the time the owner was transported to Virginia, he has been unresponsive in coming back to claim his vessel.

When the sailing vessel washed ashore on May 25, USCG went out to take a look. “Our main concern is to get hazmat or oil off of the vessel,” Jacot explained. No fuel or oil was found on the sailboat. If the owner does not get in touch with the Coast Guard, Jacot shared that the case will be federalized. As for removing the vessel from its current location, the Coast Guard will continue to assess the situation and continue to try to contact the owner.

READ ABOUT MORE NEWS HERE.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE COASTLAND TIMES TODAY!