A Wanchese shrimp trawler remained in the breakers off in Southern Shores since grounding on Tuesday morning, prompting a U.S. Coast Guard airlift of the ships four crewmembers.
The F/V Bald Eagle II, a 78-foot-long steel hulled trawler, first ran into engine trouble around 7:30 a.m. and then a net snagged the propeller, the crew dropped anchor but were unable to prevent the vessel from reaching the shoreline off Dogwood Drive.
The boat drifted southward to near Dolphin Run by 9 a.m. and then came to rest near Trout Run in the vicinity “Y” intersection of N.C. 12 and Ocean Trail by midday where it was still located Thursday morning.
Barbara Ann Bell, administrator of the OBX Sunrise page on Facebook, shot video Thursday morning of the Bald Eagle II now facing with its bow towards the beach, and a line from the ship attached to an excavator.
A salvage company has reportedly been contracted to get the vessel back out to sea.
Video shot Tuesday by Kristine Kiousis showed a Coast Guard Jayhawk helicopter from Station Elizabeth City lifting a rescue swimmer and a crewmember from the F/V Bald Eagle II out of the surf.
Video courtesy Katie Morgan:
“We are coordinating with the vessel’s owner with a plan for freeing the vessel,” said Petty Officer First Class Stephen Lehmann with U.S. Coast Guard Fifth District Public Affairs.
Video courtesy Frankie Powers:
The grounded shrimp trawler has drifted to south of Trout Run in Southern Shores near the “Y” on NC 12 pic.twitter.com/BiiyvzGfoY
— Sam Walker OBX Today🎙📻📰 (@SamWalkerOBX) December 7, 2021
5:30 p.m.: M/V Bald Eagle II has held position south of Trout Run in Southern Shores this afternoon, high tide is around 10 p.m. Once onshore flow weakens, should be able to get it towed out. pic.twitter.com/alBXQajTbM
— Sam Walker OBX Today🎙📻📰 (@SamWalkerOBX) December 8, 2021
The F/V Jonathan Ryan was able to be towed back to sea without incident later in the afternoon.