HomeMy Public PortalAboutCOTI_PR20190219_SearchForMissing.docxPRESS RELEASE: Contact: Jason Patterson, Fire Chief
For Immediate Release (912) 472-5061
jpatterson@cityoftybee.org
Search Continues for Man Missing Off Tybee Beaches
Tybee Island, Ga. – (February 19, 2019) On Monday, February 18, at approximately 7:45 PM, a missing male was reported in the water on a body board with a wetsuit. Initial Fire and Police
units responded to the reported location and began a land-based search with multiple units scanning the water for the reported subject with handheld thermal cameras and binoculars.
Initial reports from the spouse were that a mid-thirties male was off the coast between Center Street and the Anchor. Search from land continued for hours.
Coast Guard deployed a Small Boat Crew immediately and arrived shortly after the request. Also, air support was received from the Coast Guard and Chatham Aviation. The search was suspended
from the land at approximately 12:30 AM. The Coast Guard assumed the water based operations from Coast Guard Tybee, and boat and helicopter operations continued throughout the night.
As of Tuesday morning, February 19, the Coast Guard is active with multiple boats and air support operating in rough conditions. We resumed land-based beach, crossover, and accessible
beach points inspections and will continue throughout the day. The Coast Guard advised operations would continue throughout the day and will advise upon the change of operations. There
is also an officer from DNR on the island as well.
As new information becomes available, updates will be provided.
About Tybee Island, GA.: The City of Tybee Island, Georgia is on the outermost barrier island off the Savannah area coast. With a wild bird sanctuary, over three miles of ocean beaches,
and salt marshes on the back river, outdoor recreation activities abound for visitors to the island. As a key defense point to the important Savannah port, Tybee’s Fort Screven, Tybee
Post Theater, Fort Pulaski, and the Tybee Island and Cockspur Lighthouses combine with the unique architectures of the island’s raised cottages to form a rich backdrop for history buffs.
Attracting a strong artistic community, there are several local supporting art galleries. Keeping the island interesting year round are several arts festivals, the Annual Pirate Fest,
the Beach Bum Parade, St Patrick’s Day celebrations, the Hot Rod Run, the Beach Bash, and the Christmas Parade, as well as fireworks displays on Independence and New Year’s Days off
the Walter W. Parker Pier and Pavilion. The Marine Science Center cooperates with Georgia’s DNR to protect threatened sea turtle species by searching for nests, protecting their eggs,
and making sure hatchlings make it to sea. For visitor information, stop by http://www.tybeevisit.com/, and to find more about the City of Tybee Island, visit our web site at http://www.cityoftybee.
org/.
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