James Russell Wells, 71, was on a small boat that capsized in the Bogue Inlet near Newport, North Carolina, on September 8, 2017. Three people were aboard; one survivor later said they saw Wells unresponsive in the water for more than two minutes after the capsizing. Another occupant was recovered deceased.

The United States Coast Guard conducted an intensive search and rescue operation for about 24 hours but found no sign of Wells and suspended active searching. The case was transferred to the Carteret County Sheriff’s Office, which is listed as managing the investigation. Authorities concluded Wells likely perished in the boating accident, but his body was never recovered.

What can readers who were on or near Bogue Inlet that day add to the timeline or the last known movements of James Wells?