The person at the center of this case
Harold Jeffrey Mays
Missing Person · Open - Unsolved
45 years waiting · since 1980
Missing Person: Harold Jeffrey Mays
Justice for Harold Jeffrey Mays — the trail went cold in 1980, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
👁️
witness
Lead #1What was the exact condition and sequence of events when the engine freeze plug failed? Could the mechanical failure have been prevented or repaired?
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person
Lead #2Companion Ted Wall's account of events is critical—what exactly happened after the engine problem and why was no distress signal received?
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evidence
Lead #3Why was no debris, wreckage, or bodies recovered despite extensive search of 104,000 square miles? What ocean currents might have dispersed evidence?
Harold Jeffrey Mays, 21, disappeared on November 13, 1980, while fishing aboard a 23-foot Sea Ox boat approximately 16 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina with companion Ted Wall. The boat reportedly experienced engine problems with a freeze plug failure in the Atlantic Gulf Stream. Despite an extensive US Coast Guard search covering 104,000 square miles with 47 aircraft sorties and 10 surface units, no trace of the vessel, crew, or debris has ever been found in over four decades.
Case
#2431
United States Coast Guard Investigative Service, District 5
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
💡
clue
Lead #4Could this have been a boating accident, or are there indicators suggesting foul play as mentioned in the case notes?
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Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
NamUs case MP14742. Missing person: Harold Jeffrey Mays.
Last known contact: 1980-11-13 in Cape Hatteras, Dare, NC. Circumstances: Missing at sea aboard a 23' Sea Ox fiberglass boat.
Was last known/seen alive on his boat during a fishing trip in or near the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic Ocean out 16 miles southeast from the inlet off the coast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina on 11-13-80 at 1:30 PM. Allegedly experienced outboard engine problems with the engine "freeze plug".
Mays, aged 21 was in the company of another young man named Ted Wall, age 22. Possibly a boating accident or may be related to foul play.
US Coast Guard coordinated efforts of search of 104,000 square miles of ocean involving 47 aircraft sorties and 10 surface units. No trace of vessel, crew or debris found during search or in subsequent 3+ decades.
Companion case to NamUs MP14851. Demographics: 21 years, Male, White / Caucasian.
Physical description: 5 ft 10 in, 175 lbs, hair: Brown, eyes: Hazel. Clothing and accessories: Clothing: Would have been dressed for off-shore ocean fishing in November.
Likely layered clothing and foul weather maritime style gear.; Jewelry: For purposes of documenting negative pertinents, never wore jewelry of any kind.. Investigating agency: United States Coast Guard Investigative Service | District 5 Case 0093 - 13 | 1980-11-13.
Timeline of Events
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1980-11-13
13:30Last Known Contact
Harold Jeffrey Mays, age 21, last seen alive aboard 23' Sea Ox fiberglass boat during fishing trip in Gulf Stream approximately 16 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras inlet. Companion Ted Wall, age 22, also aboard. Outboard engine experienced freeze plug problems.
🕵️
1980-11-13
Coast Guard Search Initiated
US Coast Guard coordinated extensive search effort covering 104,000 square miles involving 47 aircraft sorties and 10 surface units. No trace of vessel, crew, or debris found.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:November 13, 1980 at 1:30 PM
Last Updated:June 24, 2026
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Phone: 2023723000
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Case Information
Incident:November 13, 1980 at 1:30 PM
Last Updated:June 24, 2026
Have Information?
Any information, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving this case.
Phone: 2023723000
You can remain anonymous