Captain from ‘Wicked Tuna’ TV series found dead after boating accident

OUTER BANKS, N.C. (WAVY) — A boater and dog were found dead about two miles south of the North Carolina coast early Monday, while the Coast Guard said it was still searching for a missing person.

The Coast Guard said Monday evening that it had been searching for “overdue boaters” in the area when they found the pair about two miles south of Oregon Inlet.

Authorities identified the boater as Charlie Griffin, a boat captain who appeared alongside his crew on the Reels of Fortune in the National Geographic series, “Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks.”

“It is with the deepest sadness we report that Charlie Griffin and his beloved dog, Leila, have passed away in a boating accident today, March 4,” a post on the Reels of Fortune Wicked Tuna Facebook page read. “Please keep family and friends in your thoughts and prayers. We will forever remember Griff!”

What caused the Facebook, Instagram outages?

NC Watermen United shared a similar post, saying, “‘Griff’ touched all whom he met, including all his fans from his days on ‘Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks.'”

Griffin and his crew starred in seasons two through five of the National Geographic series, “Wicked Tuna: Outer Banks.” Griffin’s crew won the fourth season.

“Charlie was known to all as a spirited fisherman with a big heart,” National Geographic and production company Pilgrim Media Group said in a statement to Entertainment Weekly. “We join Charlie’s family, fellow cast members, and friends in mourning his untimely loss.”

Griffin’s vessel appeared to have capsized near Oregon Inlet, the Coast Guard told The Outer Banks Voice, and a second person was believed to have been on board. Crews continued to search for that person, but as of Tuesday evening, the Coast Guard had not offered any updates on their efforts.

Authorities have also not identified that second occupant.

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