
                         THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
                 Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, June 17, 1994                    TAG: 9406170812 
SECTION: LOCAL                     PAGE: B5    EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: NORTH CAROLINA 
DATELINE: 940617                                 LENGTH: Short

MAN PULLED OVERBOARD BY FISH

{LEAD} The Coast Guard suspended its search at dusk Thursday for a Maryland man who was apparently pulled overboard by a large marlin.

Chris Bowie of Ocean City, Md., was pulled overboard about 11 a.m. while helping a crew member of the 52-foot sports fishing vessel Trophy Box pull in the marlin. At the time, the boat was about 60 miles southeast of Fort Macon, off the coast of North Carolina.

The Coast Guard said Bowie became entangled in the fishing line. Another crew member tried unsuccessfully to release Bowie from the line.

The Coast Guard cutter Block Island and an HH-60 helicopter from the air station at Elizabeth City conducted a wide search. They were assisted by local fishermen.

The accident occurred during the Big Rock Fishing Tournament in Fort Macon.

The water temperature in the area was in the 80s, but the Coast Guard said Bowie was not wearing a life jacket.

by CNB