Two 50-year-olds missing, last seen seven miles off the coast of Sapelo Sound

SAPELO ISLAND, Ga. (WTOC) - [UPDATE 3:56 p.m.] The United States Coast Guard has announced they are looking for two 50-year-old males, John Strickland and Roman Waldera, last seen 7 miles off the coast of Sapelo Sound, GA, Wednesday, December 17, 2025.

The Coast Guard asks for anyone with more information to please call their Charleston Sector at 843-453-1261.

[ORIGINAL STORY] The McIntosh County Fire Department and the United States Coast Guard are currently actively searching Blackbeard and Sapelo Island waters, WTOC has confirmed.

According to the McIntosh County EMA director, the Coast Guard reached out to the McIntosh County Fire Department on the morning of December 18, 2025, for assistance in a search of two males.

The EMA director tells WTOC that there is not currently very much confirmed information, and that their department is working to confirm statements on social media.

WTOC is also actively working to confirm statements being shared on social media and this page may be updated as more information becomes available.