Missing Boater Found Safe

A man missing since Sunday night was found after a passing boater notified the Coast Guard 22 miles southeast of Galveston. Lewis Ray Moran was found safe in his boat at 1 p.m. nearly 12 miles northeast from where he had tied off Sunday night while awaiting help after engine trouble. A friend of Moran notified the Coast Guard Sunday night that they had been out fishing, experienced engine trouble, and needed assistance. After a passing vessel’s crew tried unsuccessfully to tow them in, the boat, with Moran aboard, was tied off to a wellhead while his friend rode back to Galveston aboard the other boat to arrange for commercial assistance. Commercial assistance was sent to help but turned back about 2:45 a.m. due to rough weather offshore. The friend then notified the Coast Guard of the situation and the Coast Guard Cutter Manowar, an 87-foot patrol boat from Galveston, diverted from its patrol to begin searching. The Manowar’s crew began searching at 7:25 this morning and was relieved by another 87-foot patrol boatcrew, the Coast Guard Cutter Manta, from Freeport, Texas. An HH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Houston also participated in the search for Moran. The Manta currently has the vessel in tow and should arrive at the Galveston Yacht Basin about 4 p.m.