The U.S. Coast Guard announced Monday evening it has suspended its search for two missing boaters on the Rappahannock River.
Dr. Stephen Perkins, 59, of Weems and Mark Ringenberg, 59, of Kansas City departed from Weems on a 15-foot Boston Whaler Sunday morning and were reported missing that evening when their boat washed ashore at Mosquito Point.
The Coast Guard, along with aircrews from Air Stations Elizabeth City, N.C., and Atlantic City, N.J., searched the Rappahannock River and portions of the Chesapeake Bay for a combined 63 hours.
“Suspending a search is never an easy decision to make and weighs heavy on everyone’s heart,” said Capt. Kevin Carroll, Sector Hampton Roads commander. “There’s no way to express how sorry we are that we are unable to return Stephen and Mark home to their loved ones.”
