By Outer Banks Voice on April 4, 2026
Shortly before 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, the External Affairs Office of the U.S. Coast Guard’s East District released this update and additional information about the vessel that capsized that morning near Ocracoke Inlet. One person died in the incident. The Observer will post more information as the Coast Guard releases it.
Here is that update.
Coast Guard Sector North Carolina Command Center received a report of a capsized 25-foot vessel near Ocracoke Inlet with four people in the water. A Coast Guard 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew from Station Hatteras Inlet launched to respond.
A good Samaritan vessel arrived on scene and recovered all four individuals from the water. Dare County EMS later confirmed that the individual was declared deceased at the pier. The remaining individuals were recovered safely.
The vessel was operating commercially at the time of the incident. TowBoatUS is on scene working to refloat the vessel. No pollution or fuel sheen has been reported.
The Coast Guard is conducting the investigation.
