Search teams recovered the bodies of two boaters Thursday missing since a disastrous sailboat race as an investigation began into circumstances surrounding the competition, including whether it should have been cancelled because of the threat of bad weather.
The discovery of the bodies of Adam Clark, 17, of Mobile and Robert Thomas, 50, of Mississippi, left one person still unaccounted for and five confirmed dead since a powerful squall disrupted the Dauphin Island Regatta on Saturday.
Around 100 boats carrying about 470 people were on Mobile Bay for the race when the squall occurred even though forecasters had issued alerts about the possibility of severe weather along the coast.
U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Duke Walker said the probe could include a review of whether the race should have been cancelled.
The Coast Guard suspended its search for missing boaters Thursday night and said the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency will now lead the recovery effort. Officials said the Coast Guard has spent more than 180 hours searching.
Leaders at the Fairhope Yacht Club, which organized the race this year, did not immediately reply to a message seeking comment on the investigation.
The probe, which Walker said could take as long as six months, began as crews scaled back the hunt for survivors.
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