Boat capsizes off Tybee Island, 1 rescued, 1 missing

TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. (WTOC) - [UPDATE 11:40 a.m.] A 44-year-old man went missing Saturday morning after a boat capsized on the Savannah River, according to a Tybee Island fire department lieutenant.

Lt. Chris Epley said crews received the initial call at 8:32 a.m. reporting a person missing in the water. Responders later learned a 21-foot center console vessel had taken on a wave, taken on water and flipped over.

“One person went missing,” Epley said. “When the boat flipped, he never came up.”

Search underway

The missing man is described as a 44-year-old Black male wearing a white t-shirt and khaki shorts.

The incident occurred near the second marker on the North Beach area of the Savannah River. Epley said the current command area near the Lazaretto Creek dock is being used as an access point.

Multiple agencies responding

Epley said the search involves multiple agencies and assets. The U.S. Coast Guard has a helicopter and a boat in the water. The fire department’s Marine One boat is also searching, along with the Marine Rescue Squadron.

Search crews are operating approximately 800 to 900 yards offshore.

Epley advised civilian boaters to stay clear of the search area and allow Coast Guard and fire department crews to conduct the operation. He said people along the shoreline should keep an eye out, as the missing person could be in the water or on the shoreline.

[ORIGINAL STORY] A boat capsized off Tybee Island on Saturday, one person was rescued and another is still missing, according to Tybee Island’s Fire Chief.

A nearby boat pulled one person from the water. A search for the second person remains ongoing.

Tybee Island Fire, Marine Rescue Squad (MRS), and the U.S. Coast Guard are assisting in the search.

This is a developing story, stick with WTOC for updates.