Small boat found adrift on Pamunkey River sparks search for operator in New Kent

NEW KENT COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A search for a missing boat operator in New Kent County is underway after officials received a report of a small boat found adrift on the Pamunkey River without an operator Thursday morning.

At around 7 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 7, the New Kent County Sheriff's Office received a report of a small boat found adrift on the Pamunkey River without an operator. The boat was reportedly found in the area of Rockahock Bar Road in New Kent County.

A spokesperson for the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) said the department received a report at 7:20 a.m. about a boat that was "going in circles without an operator" on the Pamunkey River. The spokesperson said the boat was retrieved by DWR.

As of around 3 p.m., officials said search operations are ongoing in the area of the Pamunkey River near Rockahock Bar Road to locate the missing boat operator.

According to the sheriff's office, several agencies -- including public safety personnel from the sheriff's office, New Kent Fire and Rescue and the Henrico County Division of Fire's Dive Team -- responded to the scene to help with search and recovery efforts.

In addition to local resources, multiple state and federal partners have joined the search, which include the United States Coast Guard, Virginia State Police and Virginia Marine Police, according to officials.

"These agencies are working in partnership with the Virginia Conservation Police (DWR), who are serving as the lead agency on this incident," the sheriff's office said.

The sheriff's office said "a wide array of assets" have been used to support the search, including boats, aircraft and drones.