Boat Washes Ashore After Deadly Accident Near Oregon Inlet in North Carolina’s Outer Banks
OUTER BANKS, NORTH CAROLINA — A tragic boating accident off the coast of North Carolina’s Outer Banks left one man dead and another injured after their vessel capsized near Oregon Inlet over the weekend.
According to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, the 50-foot boat was being moved from the Northeast to Florida when it overturned in rough waters on Saturday. Officials released a photo showing the vessel washed ashore following the deadly incident.
Two Men Thrown Overboard Without Life Jackets
Authorities identified the victims as 50-year-old Francis Hennigan Jr. of Pennsylvania and a 29-year-old man from New Jersey. The two men were transporting the vessel to Florida and had planned to stop in Beaufort, North Carolina for repairs. Investigators say both men were thrown into the water without life jackets when the boat capsized.
The U.S. Coast Guard responded to the emergency and managed to rescue the 29-year-old survivor, who sustained minor injuries. He was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
However, Hennigan was found unresponsive in the water shortly after and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Officials Investigating Cause of the Accident
Authorities have not yet released details about what caused the boat to overturn but confirmed that an investigation is ongoing. The Wildlife Resources Commission is working alongside the Coast Guard to determine whether weather conditions, equipment failure, or other factors contributed to the tragedy.
Images from the scene show the damaged vessel washed up along the shoreline, a grim reminder of how quickly conditions can change along the coast. Officials are reminding boaters to wear life jackets at all times and to monitor marine forecasts before heading out on the water.
The incident comes amid heightened safety advisories for boaters traveling through the Outer Banks’ Oregon Inlet, an area known for unpredictable tides and shifting sandbars that can make navigation treacherous.
As investigations continue, authorities are urging recreational and commercial boaters alike to follow safety guidelines and ensure all equipment is in working condition before setting out to sea.
Community members have expressed condolences to Hennigan’s family as they mourn the loss of a man described as a skilled and passionate mariner.
Readers with local information or experiences related to boating safety in the Outer Banks are invited to share their thoughts in the comments and follow SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com for further updates as officials release more findings.
