Coast Guard ends search for missing boater off Salisbury Beach

SALISBURY, Mass. — The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for a boater reported missing off the coast of Salisbury Tuesday afternoon.

The Coast Guard said the search for the unidentified man was called off after a first light search conducted by a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew from Station Merrimack River and a rescue helicopter crew from Air Station Cape Cod.

About 67 miles of track line was searched in a 14-square mile area over a period of about 17 hours, the Coast Guard said.

Massachusetts State Police said two men were fishing in a dangerous part of the Merrimack River Tuesday afternoon when their boat capsized.

One man saw them struggling with the waves and current through his binoculars couldn’t believe what he was witnessing.

MORE: 1 person missing hours after boat overturns near Salisbury

“It was already flipped over two guys were on top I couldn’t believe what I was looking at, nobody around I called 911,” Jeff told Boston 25 News.

Jeff called 911 himself, knowing that every second mattered with the water temperature around 51 degrees.

The Coast Guard was able to rescue one of the men, and isbeing treated for hypothermia.

“The water is freezing cold, it’s bad enough to be here out of the water,” Corey Caulbe said after seeing the man get to shore. “He looked like he was exhausted he had to stop a few times.”

Rescuers were able to spot the second man face down in the water, but as they approached him a large wave slammed into the boat and he disappeared.

Officials said the men, who have not yet been identified, were not wearing life jackets when their boat flipped over.

Cox Media Group