USCG Investigating Debris Field in Georgia Waters; Requests Help from Public

CHARLESTON, SC, July 24, 2007 (USCG) Coast Guard crews at Station Brunswick, Ga., received a call from the research vessel Lady Lisa reporting the debris field. Rescue crews launched to search the area and confirmed the report. Coast Guard crews also located a stern portion of the vessel with the name Turmoil on it Cumberland Island, Ga.

The debris doesn't have any marine growth on it, which would indicate that it hasn't been at sea for an extended period of time.

A Coast Guard helicopter crew from Savannah, Ga., is searching the area along with a boat crew from Station Brunswick. The Coast Guard cutter Yellowfin from Charleston, S.C., is also assisting in the search. A Coast Guard fixed-wing aircraft from Air Station Clearwater, Fla., is also assisting in the search.

Coast Guard units have determined the debris field is approximately 30-miles long extending from the mouth of the St. Mary's River, Ga., to Sea Island, Ga.

The vessel was last registered in the state of Georgia to Harry Jones of Brunswick. Jones sold the vessel to Jack Evans of Darien, Ga., approximately three years ago. It's not known whether Evans still owns the vessel, but Coast Guard investigators are trying to track down the current owner of Turmoil. Jones told rescue coordinators the Turmoil was an approximately 65-foot shrimp vessel.

Coast Guard rescue coordinators received a call from a sailing vessel reporting they heard a mayday call over VHF marine radio channel 16. No Coast Guard units heard the call. A Coast Guard helicopter searched the area and didn't spot any signs of distress. Nothing indicates that the two cases are related.

If anyone has any information, they are urged to contact the Coast Guard at Sector Charleston at 843-724-7616 or on VHF marine radio via channel 16 immediately.