News Summary
A 49-year-old man, Carlson ‘BJ’ Johnson, was found deceased near Oregon Inlet after his family reported him overdue from a fishing trip. Despite extensive search efforts by the U.S. Coast Guard and North Carolina Marine Patrol, his boat and dog remain missing. This incident underscores the importance of boating safety as authorities continue to investigate. Additionally, a separate accident on Lake Norman led to charges against a fisherman following a collision during a tournament. Boating safety measures are being emphasized as more people head to the water.
Oregon Inlet, NC – An Outer Banks man identified as Carlson “BJ” Johnson, aged 49, was found deceased near the Oregon Inlet on Thursday after being reported overdue by his family following a fishing trip. Johnson had embarked on his fishing excursion from the Oregon Inlet Fishing Center on Wednesday and had taken his dog with him.
Johnson’s family alerted the North Carolina Marine Patrol when he did not return as expected by 10 p.m. on Wednesday. Officials confirmed that his truck and trailer remained parked at the fishing center, indicating he had not returned from the trip. In response to the report, the U.S. Coast Guard began aerial searches of the area around 11 p.m. on Wednesday night.
Search efforts intensified at daylight on Thursday when officers from the North Carolina Marine Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and the NC Wildlife began a coordinated search operation. Tragically, Johnson’s body was located about two miles east of the inlet by a local charter captain during this search. As of now, both his 19-foot Maycraft boat and his dog have not been recovered. The North Carolina Marine Patrol is treating this incident as a boating accident, while an investigation into the circumstances of Johnson’s death is being conducted by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
In a separate incident on Lake Norman, a fisherman named Jessie Ayers from Oklahoma has been charged following a collision involving a pleasure boat during a fishing tournament on Wednesday morning. The crash occurred around 7:15 a.m. in the State Park area of Lake Norman when Ayers was operating a bass boat at approximately 50 to 60 mph and collided with the right side of another vessel.
Both Ayers and the operator of the pleasure boat, an adult male, were ejected into the water upon impact and subsequently hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The National Professional Fishing League has confirmed Ayers’ participation in the tournament at which the incident took place. Initial investigations suggest that operator inattention and failure to maintain a proper lookout may have contributed to the accident.
Ayers now faces charges of careless and reckless operation of a motorboat. Fortunately, both boats involved in the collision were equipped with life jackets, and nearby boaters were able to provide assistance to the individuals in the water. Ayers is scheduled to appear in court in May as legal proceedings continue.
These incidents highlight the need for increased awareness and adherence to safety measures while boating. With the weather warming and more individuals taking to the water, authorities have reiterated the importance of safety practices to prevent further accidents and ensure the safety of all individuals on the water.
As investigations into both incidents continue, officials encourage all boaters to remain vigilant and prioritize safety when exploring waterways.
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Additional Resources
- WBTV: Boat Crash Lake Norman
- Wikipedia: Boating Accidents
- WCNC: Boat Crash Lake Norman
- Google Search: Lake Norman boat accident
- WRAL: Fishing Tournament Boat Crash
- Google Scholar: Boat Crash Lake Norman
- WSOC-TV: Crews Respond to Boat Crash Lake Norman
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Boating Safety
- Wired2Fish: Boat Crash During NPFL Event
- Google News: Boating Incident Lake Norman
Author: STAFF HERE OUTER BANKS WRITER
The OBX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOBX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in the Outer Banks, Dare County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Outer Banks Seafood Festival, NC VIP Fishing Tournament, and NCBBA Red Drum Tournament. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce and Outer Banks Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in tourism, retail, and hospitality that power the local economy such as Kitty Hawk Kites, Outer Banks Mall, and Avon Fishing Pier. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HERERaleigh.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
