Media Update: Coast Guard Continues Search for 4 Missing Sailors off North Carol

May 9, 2007

Media Update: Coast Guard Continues Search for 4 Missing Sailors off North Carolina

PORTSMOUTH, Va. – Coast Guard rescue crews from Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., and the Coast Guard Cutter Tampa continue searching for four missing sailors from the 54-foot sailing vessel Flying Colours off the North Carolina coast today.

Since Monday, Coast Guard crews have searched 38,122.5 square nautical miles.

The crew, Patrick Topping, 39, Jason Franks, 34, Rhiannon Borisoff, 22, and Christine Grinavic, were sailing from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands to Annapolis, Md.

The crew is described as experienced and carried all safety and communications equipment onboard.

The vessel has been described as having a blue hull with either a green or light blue keel with white topside with teak decks and lots of stainless steel.

The search began early Monday morning when Coast Guard watch standers at the Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) in Portsmouth, Va., received an alert from the ships Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)at 3:30 a.m., the RCC lost signal contact at 7:00 a.m.

The Coast Guard continues to search the area and asks anyone who has information regarding the Flying Colours to call the Coast Guard Command Center at (757) 398-6390.

Media Update: Coast Guard Continues Search for 4 Missing Sailors off North Carolina

Since Monday, Coast Guard crews have searched 38,122.5 square nautical miles.

The crew, Patrick Topping, 39, Jason Franks, 34, Rhiannon Borisoff, 22, and Christine Grinavic, were sailing from St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands to Annapolis, Md.

The crew is described as experienced and carried all safety and communications equipment onboard.

The vessel has been described as having a blue hull with either a green or light blue keel with white topside with teak decks and lots of stainless steel.

The Coast Guard continues to search the area and asks anyone who has information regarding the Flying Colours to call the Coast Guard Command Center at (757) 398-6390.

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