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Former South Carolina QB and Tuscaloosa native Chris Smelley missing UPDATE: FOUND
Posted on 3/28/24 at 3:50 pm
Posted on 3/28/24 at 3:50 pm
Per Walton County Sheriff Facebook. (Not linking Facebook)
Went out fishing in his kayak this morning at 0830 and has not returned.
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WCSO SEARCHING FOR MISSING KAYAKER IN THE GULF OFF GRAYTON BEACH
Walton County Sheriff's Office is currently searching for a missing kayaker in the Gulf of Mexico off Grayton Beach.
Chris Smelley, 37, went fishing in his blue and black kayak around 8:30 am and has not returned.
WCSO and South Walton Fire District have jet skis in the water off of Grayton Beach searching for Chris.
The United States Coast Guard out of Mobile has been notified. Florida Fish and Wildlife has launched from the Inlet at Destin Pass and is heading east towards Grayton.
If anyone sees Chris or spots his blue and black kayak, please call us (850)-892-8111.
Went out fishing in his kayak this morning at 0830 and has not returned.
———————————
WCSO SEARCHING FOR MISSING KAYAKER IN THE GULF OFF GRAYTON BEACH
Walton County Sheriff's Office is currently searching for a missing kayaker in the Gulf of Mexico off Grayton Beach.
Chris Smelley, 37, went fishing in his blue and black kayak around 8:30 am and has not returned.
WCSO and South Walton Fire District have jet skis in the water off of Grayton Beach searching for Chris.
The United States Coast Guard out of Mobile has been notified. Florida Fish and Wildlife has launched from the Inlet at Destin Pass and is heading east towards Grayton.
If anyone sees Chris or spots his blue and black kayak, please call us (850)-892-8111.
This post was edited on 3/28/24 at 9:29 pm
12
Posted on 3/28/24 at 3:53 pm to Freight Joker
quote:
Went out fishing in his kayak this morning at 0830 and has not returned.
like 8 hours ago? this seems really early for someone to be missing.. so I hope he is just off the grid catching some big ones..
Posted on 3/28/24 at 3:54 pm to Freight Joker
This is awful. Hate to hear it. I hope they find him, one way or the other.
granted if you had just put USC...we would have known what school you were talking about..
granted if you had just put USC...we would have known what school you were talking about..
This post was edited on 3/28/24 at 3:55 pm
Posted on 3/28/24 at 3:59 pm to GamecockUltimate
quote:
granted if you had just put USC...we would have known what school you were talking about..
Updated
Posted on 3/28/24 at 4:19 pm to BigBro
quote:
like 8 hours ago? this seems really early for someone to be missing.
My younger brother does a lot of kayak fishing. I'd be quite alarmed if he was no contact multiple hours after his intended return time. He swims much better than your average sec qb.
Posted on 3/28/24 at 4:26 pm to Freight Joker
This one stinks.
Posted on 3/28/24 at 4:40 pm to Freight Joker
Kayaking alone? I would never do that. Boat wakes can capsize and too much risk. Hope they find he made a detour somewhere on land.
Posted on 3/28/24 at 4:43 pm to BigBro
quote:
like 8 hours ago? this seems really early for someone to be missing.. so I hope he is just off the grid catching some big ones..
8hrs in the ocean is a long time, water was pretty calm today though so hopefully he just lost track of time.
Posted on 3/28/24 at 4:44 pm to OU Guy
Hopefully wearing a life jacket and the current Sylacauga HS football coach
Posted on 3/28/24 at 4:51 pm to Freight Joker
Poor choice in colors for the kayak. I would want colors that don't match the water or time of day. That's like wearing dark colors walking at night.
Posted on 3/28/24 at 4:59 pm to BigBro
quote:
like 8 hours ago? this seems really early for someone to be missing.. so I hope he is just off the grid catching some big ones..
I thought the same thing. I’ve been out in my kayak many times in that area. It’s pretty easy to lose track of time, especially if the fish are biting. The trip back in is usually done at a leisurely paddle. It’s easy to end up 4 or 5 miles offshore looking for fish. I hope he had a life jacket on board. That kayak he was in is hard to tip over, but anything can happen. Hopefully this one has a happy ending. Better safe than sorry, it’s advisable to tell someone a float plan if you’re kayaking alone- maybe he did that and told his wife he would be back by 1:00 or something.
Posted on 3/28/24 at 5:02 pm to Freight Joker
Not good. Just got back from Walton county yesterday. The gulf has been extremely nasty the last few days. Was supposed to be calmer today but I don't know.
Posted on 3/28/24 at 5:10 pm to mrbroker
quote:
Hopefully wearing a life jacket and the current Sylacauga HS football coach
obviously spring break
Dear God bless that school
White Hall in Arkansas just went through this
Posted on 3/28/24 at 5:15 pm to BigBro
quote:
hope he is just off the grid catching some big ones..
Amen.. hopefully this has a good ending and he's back among family & friends for Easter weekend.
Posted on 3/28/24 at 5:21 pm to TouchdownTony
Grayton beach webcam
It’s an incredibly calm day on the gulf. I think there is a decent chance he’s just out there slaying fish. Spanish are thick right now. Kings are in. Blackfin are in. For someone that doesn’t get the chance to do it every weekend it’s hard to leave when the fish are biting.
It’s an incredibly calm day on the gulf. I think there is a decent chance he’s just out there slaying fish. Spanish are thick right now. Kings are in. Blackfin are in. For someone that doesn’t get the chance to do it every weekend it’s hard to leave when the fish are biting.
Posted on 3/28/24 at 5:31 pm to mrbroker
Local news just reported he didn't have his cell phone or a lifejacket with him.
Posted on 3/28/24 at 5:34 pm to Freight Joker
prayers for Chris and all his family that he's found and makes it home okay -
quote:https://www.sylacauganews.com/local/chris-smelley-chosen-to-lead-aggie-football-program
Smelley and his wife, Josie, have four children: Coleman, Canon, Franklin, and McKenzie. The family plans to move to Sylacauga to be a part of the community.
Posted on 3/28/24 at 5:43 pm to bamafan1953
quote:
Local news just reported he didn't have his cell phone or a lifejacket with him.
Sheesh. Don’t understand that at all. Not a death sentence, I’ll say again he was in a very stable (and slow) kayak, but not carrying a life jacket is pretty brazen. Most of the locals that fish offshore in a yak don’t just carry one, they wear it the whole time.
Posted on 3/28/24 at 5:46 pm to 1801
quote:
Smelley and his wife, Josie, have four children: Coleman, Canon, Franklin, and McKenzie. The family plans to move to Sylacauga to be a part of the community.
I hate hearing stories like this no matter who the person is but knowing he has a wife and four kids, damn. I hope they find him alive and well with a ton of fish and not the alternative.
Posted on 3/28/24 at 5:50 pm to Freight Joker
Prayers out for his family and for his safe return.
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