Here’s what official SCDNR reports say about the day SC boater Tyler Doyle went missing

Caroline Williamson
·2 min read

Official reports released by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources detail what happened the day boater Tyler Doyle went missing in January.

The official cause of the accident was a mechanical failure, with SCDNR attributing weather, hazardous waters, fault of machinery and fault of hull as contributing factors.

According to the boating accident report, Doyle was not wearing a life jacket. The report also makes no mention of reckless behavior, or any mention of alcohol or other substances.

The Sun News obtained 11 folders of witness statements, official reports and photos Thursday in a Freedom of Information Act request.

Doyle, 22, of Loris, and Christian Holden, 21, of Aynor, were duck hunting Jan. 26 when Doyle dropped off Holden on the north jetty in Little River, and then went to scout out ducks, according to SCDNR. Doyle and Holden are friends.

Doyle had called Holden, stating his jon boat was taking on water and sinking. There was also a small craft advisory in affect that day.

The report states that Holden, at Doyle’s request, called 911 and asked for the U.S. Coast Guard and Sea Tow. Doyle also called a boat mechanic, who advised Doyle on several different things to fix the boat, such as checking the safety lanyard, gas bulb and fuel line connections.

The boat then began drifting backward out to sea.

Holden attempted to flag down a nearby boat, which did try to look for Doyle but had to come back in due to water conditions, the report said.

The witness statements submitted by Sharon Boyd, Christian Holden, Brandon Tyler and Todd Brown match up with the 911 phone calls and official DNR reports.

Lead investigation officer Ronnie Floyd submitted a timeline narrative of the accident, which matches witness statements and 911 calls as well.

SCDNR will continue searching for Doyle, using routine boat patrols and assistance from Brunswick County, N.C., officials and family and friends, according to department spokesman Greg Lucas.

Lucas said on Tuesday that there are no plans to end the search that he’s aware of.