This article explores the unfortunate events surrounding the disappearance of Chad Dunn and the death of Captain Charlie Griffin, a well-known figure from the "Wicked Tuna" series.
Map of the Outer Banks, North Carolina
The Incident
The Coast Guard announced on Tuesday, March 5, that they had suspended the search for the missing boater in an inlet along North Carolina's Outer Banks.
Coast Guardsman recovered the body of Captain Charlie Griffin, 65 of Wanchese along with his pet dog, Leila after they began a search and rescue for overdue boaters between Nags Head and Rodanthe on Sunday night.
The body of Griffin along with his pet dog were found two miles south of Oregon Inlet on a 30-foot vessel.
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Multiple agencies including Coast Guard Station Oregon Inlet, Coast Guard Cutter Steelhead, Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, National Park Service, NC Fish and Wildlife and the Dare County Sheriff's Office were involved in the search and rescue mission by utilizing air, boat and patrols along the shoreline.
Coast Guard officials say the boat was departing from Virginia Beach and were heading to Manteo for repairs, and the 36-year-old missing boater Chad Dunn remains missing.
This incident remains under investigation by the N.C. Rep. House in memory of Chad Dunn, 36, who died Sunday in an Oregon Inlet boating accident.
Also killed in the accident was 65-year-old Capt. Charlie Griffin.
Dunn and Griffin were reported missing later Sunday.
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The Search and Rescue Operation
The Coast Guard said crews searched for Dunn overnight Monday and throughout the day Tuesday between Nags Head and Rodanthe by air, boat, as well as on the shoreline.
“We searched for 41 hours, conducted 12 search patterns, and covered approximately 400 miles by air, sea and on shore with our local partners to find Chad and bring him home,” said Cmdr. Corrie Sergent, Deputy, Sector North Carolina.
“No two cases are ever the same. It is one of the hardest decisions to call off a search, and we offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends affected by this tragic event,” said North Carolina Coast Guard Deputy Commander Corrie Sergent.
Remembering Chad Dunn
Rep. Greg Murphy, R-N.C., rose during the morning session to remember the life of Chad Dunn, 36, who died Sunday in a boating accident in Oregon Inlet.
“He was taken far too soon,” Murphy said.
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“As a member of the fishing community, Chad was beloved by those who knew him as well as his passion for the sea.
Murphy said that while the sea may have claimed Dunn’s physical existence, “his spirit remains in our hearts, our minds, especially those in the boating community and fishing community of Oregon Inlet and the Outer Banks.
Remembering Charlie Griffin
Veteran fisherman Charlie Griffin, who starred in the National Geographic TV franchise “Wicked Tuna,” has died.
Charlie was the captain of the fishing vessel Reels of Fortune and appeared on seasons two through five of Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks, fishing side-by-side on the series with his only child, Jake.
Griffin was a fan favorite and even won the bluefin fishing competition amongst the other captains on the show in season four.
In a joint statement shared with The Times, “Wicked Tuna” channel National Geographic and producer Pilgrim Media Group also remembered the Reels of Fortune captain who starred in the spin-off series “Wild Tuna: Outer Banks.”
The statement confirmed that the shipwreck was unrelated to the series.
“Charlie was known to all as a spirited fisherman with a big heart,” National Geographic and Pilgrim Media Group said.
“We join Charlie’s family, fellow cast members and friends in mourning his untimely loss.”
Charlie was known to all as a spirited fisherman with a big heart.
“We will forever remember Griff.”
Griffin, known among fans and fellow fishers as “Griff,” appeared in seasons two through five of “Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks.”
“I started fishing when I was a pretty young boy and I’ve spent my life on the Outer Banks,” Grififn said in a “Wicked Tuna” introduction.
He shared his experience of sailing rough seas and passion for fishing with his only child, Jake, who served as the Reels of Fortune’s first mate.
“Having my son Jake work with me has been, really, a blessing. He’s a pretty tough character now,” Griffin said.
“I mean everybody’s proud of their son but you will not see a harder-working young man.”
In the introduction, Griffin also shared that the Reels of Fortune second mate was a Labrador named Renegade.
The dog often joined the father-son duo on their treacherous, yet bountiful fishing excursions.
“We have to catch fish so we can pay the bills, so we can take care of the people that we love,” he said.
“So it’s very important that we start catching fish right away.”
Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks
Griffin, his dog, and a second boater identified as 36-year-old Chad Dunn left Virginia Beach for Pirate’s Cove Marina in Manteo for repairs.
Wicked Tuna’s Charlie Griffin & Dog Leila Dead After Boating Accident | E! News
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