Coast Guard searches for missing boaters in Georgia

May 24 (UPI) -- The U.S. Coast Guard continued to search Wednesday for crew of a capsized fishing boat about a mile northeast of Tybee Island, Ga., where a tornado was reported Tuesday night.

At 6:22 p.m. Tuesday, Coast Guard Sector Charleston Command Center watchstanders were notified of an emergency position from a radio beacon registered to the Miss Debbie, a 47-foot fishing vessel.

One hour later, the 45-foot RB-M boat crew arrived and discovered the Miss Debbie capsized.

They began searching for crew members without success.

The Coast Guard dispatched MH-65 Dolphin and MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters to assist in the search.

Savannah, Ga., fire and rescue teams assisted but returned to shore after midnight when conditions worsened. Georgia and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources are also assisting search efforts.

WTOC-TV reported there is no word on how many crew members were aboard.

Tybee Island is in Chatham County, where severe thunderstorms and a tornado were reported around 6 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.

Tybee Island is a barrier island and small city 18 miles from Savannah. The Coast Guard has a station on the island.

#Update #HappeningNow @USCG crews and partner agencies continue to search for missing crew members of Miss Debbie off Tybee Island, GA. pic.twitter.com/ys8zOOEokK

— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) May 24, 2017