Search suspended for missing fishermen

ASSATEAGUE ISLAND, Md. (WAVY) - The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended the search for two people missing from a fishing vessel off the Eastern Shore Wednesday.

According to the Coast Guard watchstanders received an emergency position indicating a radio beacon alert from the Seafarer, a 67-foot fishing boat around 10:30 a.m.

The vessel’s owner thought the Seafarer had become disabled and was being towed by its sister ship. Sometime during the tow, the line was lost as was sight of the Seafarer during the worsening weather conditions.

A Jayhawk crew launched from Elizabeth City and found the one man in a life raft. He was rescued and taken to Peninsula Regional Medical Center.

WITN in North Carolina told WAVY.com two missing fishermen have been identified as Capt. Walter Tate, 80, and his nephew, Stephen Tate, 60, of North Carolina. Family members say the two were flounder fishing.

The search was suspended for the Tates around 1 p.m. Thursday.