Search For Missing Fisherman

Alabama Mobile Rescue crews find body of man they believe is a missing fisherman who fell off a boat around 4:00 p.m.

by Jamie Burch

Published: Mon, July 21, 2008 - 3:24 pm CST

7:45 p.m.
- Search shutdown. Searchers believe they have found the body of the missing fisherman, Joe Wongsa
- The Mobile County Sheriff's Flotilla located body underwater with side-scan sonar. Divers then retrieved it.
- Daphne Search and Rescue says body found matches description of Wongsa
- Coroner is on sight to make a positive identification
- Body located 1/2 mile South of Interstate 10 around 7:00 p.m.
- Daphne Search and Rescue says none of the men on the wooden crabbing boat were wearing lifejackets.

6:45 p.m.
- Wongsa was one of 3 people on a 24ft wooden crabbing boat
- They were on the Apalachee river when he fell out
- The other two people on the crabbing boat are helping in the search
- The Coast Guard, Alabama Marine Police, Spanish Fort Fire Department and North Baldwin Search and Rescue are also looking for Wongsa

5:40 p.m.
- Rev. Noy Paul of First Baptist Church of Irvington says the victim's name is 35-year-old Joe Wongsa
- Wongsa is the Music Director at the church
- Wongsa's wife called Rev. Paul around 2:30 p.m. to say her husband was missing
- Family members are on the scene

4:24 p.m.
- Rescue crews are searching Mobile Bay for a fisherman who fell off a boat around 4:00 p.m.
- The Mobile County Sheriff's Office Flotilla and Daphne Search and Rescue are launching crews from Meaher State Park on the Causeway in Spanish Fort.
- They're searching an area south of I-10.

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Tide Fan Says:

Tue, Jul 22, 2008 at 7:25 am

As a general rule…the human body will sink rather quickly…some people quicker than others.. He could have been knocked out or a medical condition may have contributed…The lack of a life vest certainly did not help..Things happen fast and there just may not be enough time to react..even if there was time, the others could have hesitated or panicked…Who Knows..Irreguardless its terrible for the family.

Wayne225 Says:

Tue, Jul 22, 2008 at 5:27 am

My condolences(sp) to the family.
If any you get a chance, watch at least one episode of “The Deadliest Catch” on the Discovery channel. While the inherent dangers of the that type of fishing are more dramitic, many of the same dangers carry over to local crab fishing. My guess is, he tossed a cage over and the recovery line of the cage dragged in him and under. I beleive the water depth where his body was recovered is about 18 feet. Once again My heart felt sympathies to the family and friends of this hard working man.

BamaBob Says:

Tue, Jul 22, 2008 at 4:21 am

It sounds like this guy fell off the boat and sank like a chunk of lead. Was there some reason for that? His clothing, tangled up in fishing gear or something?
__
Hard to understand how he sank like that without anyone throwing him a rope or something. Strange….

mustuknow Says:

Mon, Jul 21, 2008 at 9:56 pm

It really makes one wonder how many people are out on boats that are not proficient swimmers or do not know to wear life jackets. It is a shame that this man died so tragically but hopefully it will not be in vain. Everyone should be thankful that this man is now in heaven with our Lord. When your number is called up there is no changing that. Rest in Peace and God be with your family and friends during this trying time.

sjcmom365 Says:

Mon, Jul 21, 2008 at 9:11 pm

I too have this family in our prayers.

____
Is this a typo or something??

Rescue crews are searching Mobile Bay for a fisherman who fell off a boat around 4:00 p.m.
- Wongsa’s wife called Rev. Paul around 2:30 p.m. to say her husband was missing

SumOneILove Says:

Mon, Jul 21, 2008 at 6:55 pm

This is awful I am truly sorry! Your family is in my prayers.

SumOneILove Says:

Mon, Jul 21, 2008 at 6:18 pm

If he fell off why wasn’t he recovered immediately???

SumOneILove Says:

Mon, Jul 21, 2008 at 5:11 pm

OH no.. this is awful~ I used to attend this church. I truly pray for his safe return!