December 27, 1997
1230 MORNING DEW departs Little River, South Carolina.

December 28, 1997
1430 Salvor sees MORNING DEW in Winyah Bay proceeding toward the ocean in the main shipping channel near buoy 26.

December 29, 1997

0215*MORNING DEW strikes north side of north jetty, at Charleston harbor

0217 Operator's younger son sends Mayday, but radio watchstander at Coast Guard Group Charleston does not hear "Mayday" portion of message. MORNING DEW does not respond to Group Charleston's radio call.

0620*Bosun on inbound PEARL ACE hears cries for help near buoy 22.

0628 Coast Guard informed of cries for help.

0648 USCG informed nothing unusual was found by pilot boat.

1115 two teenage victims found in water at entrace to Charleston Harbor.

1145*DNR initiates SAR

1256 USCG helicopter finds third teenage victim.

1630 Off-duty radio watchstander calls ODO and reports receiving earlier radio call.

December 30, 1997

DNR investigator asks USCG for distress call information and advised no distress calls "perceived".

January 23, 1998

Body of operator found on beach of Sullivans Island.

February 4, 1998

DNR completes its accident investigation.

March 17, 1998

USCG Commander plays tape of 0217 Mayday call for family members.

March 18, 1998

DNR investigator learns about 0217 Mayday call from widow/mother.
DNR contacts Coast Guard about the tape of the mayday call and reopens investigation.

April 1998

NTSB asked to investigate.