Belmont pub raising funds in search for missing Gaston County boaters

BELMONT, N.C. — Sammy’s Pub in Belmont is trying to help in the desperate search for two local fishermen who disappeared off the coast of Oak Island Sunday.

Local boaters drove to the coast to help in the search, and people are raising money to help pay for it.

The bar collected $2 for every drink sold Wednesday to donate to the search for Steve Chaney and David Hambrick.

The cousins from Gaston County were fishing off of Oak Island and were reported missing Sunday night.

Friend Christy Ballard hopes the men are simply lost.

“I can only imagine what the family is going through, and David and Steve being lost at sea,” Ballard said. “It’s like a horror story that came true. It’s sad. I didn't think something like that would really happen.”

Neighbor Marvin Huskins said Hambrick and his wife had just bought the boat and a second home on Oak Island and he was at the beach to work on it and fish.

“That boy could do anything, ride motorcycles or boats,” Huskins said. “You wouldn’t think that would happen to him.”

Ballard said the donations will help pay for fuel for boats that left Wednesday to help in the search and that a Gofundme page has raised $5,000.

“They are great people and they need to be found,” Ballard said. “And if they don’t, I'm sure they will find their way home.”

Cox Media Group