13-22-CWS | February 28, 2013
BILOXI, Miss. —The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR) Marine Patrol began a search and rescue mission last night for two missing kayakers. The body of one of the kayakers, Kenneth Rainer, 57, of Biloxi was recovered at 12:13 a.m. today near the Biloxi east channel. Marine Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard and National Park Service personnel are continuing a search and rescue mission for the second kayaker.
Marine Patrol received a call at 7:11 p.m. last night from the Biloxi Police Department that a shrimp vessel had found two empty kayaks adrift in the Davis Bayou area in Ocean Springs. At 7:44 p.m., Marine Patrol boats were underway. At 8:56 p.m., Marine Patrol called the U.S. Coast Guard for search and rescue assistance. U.S. Coast Guard personnel from both Gulfport and Pascagoula stations have assisted with search and rescue efforts.
Currently, five Marine Patrol vessels, a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter, a 29-foot U.S. Coast Guard vessel and two National Park Service park rangers are assisting with the search for the missing kayaker.
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is dedicated to enhancing, protecting and conserving marine interests of the state by managing all marine life, public trust wetlands, adjacent uplands and waterfront areas to provide for the optimal commercial, recreational, educational and economic uses of these resources consistent with environmental concerns and social changes. Visit the MDMR online at www.dmr.ms.gov.
Contact: Susan Lepoma Perkins, APR
Phone: (228) 523-4124
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