UPDATED, Search Suspended – Coast Guard, others searching for person in the water in Nushagak Bay, Alaska

U.S. Coast Guard 17th District Alaska
Contact: 17th District Public Affairs
Office: (907) 428-4140
After Hours: (907) 227-9248
17th District online newsroom – 13:08

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Coast Guard is searching for a person in the water in Nushagak Bay, Monday.

An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and C-130 Hercules aircraft crew from Air Station Kodiak are searching for a male crew member from the commercial fishing vessel Pail Rider who went overboard at approximately 3 a.m.

The man was not wearing a life jacket, but was wearing orange pants and bib. The crew aboard the Pail Rider fired flares and other vessels arrived on scene to assist with the search. Approximately 10 good Samaritan fishing vessels are on scene assisting with the search.

“We are hopeful that with the bright-colored clothing, we have a stronger chance of locating this person,” said Ray Dwyer, Coast Guard 17th District command duty officer for the case. “Going overboard without a life jacket greatly reduces the likelihood of survival, especially in cold water. But with the help of all the good Samaritan crews out there, we’re doing everything we can.”

Approximate conditions in Nushagak Bay at the time the man entered the water included 20 mph winds, 10-mile visibility, one-foot seas, a water temperature of 52 degrees and an air temperature of 54 degrees.

Watchstanders in the Sector Anchorage command center received the initial report of the man overboard via VHF-FM marine radio from the Pail Rider at approximately 3 a.m.

The Pail Rider is home-ported in Dillingham.

-USCG-

Coast Guard suspends search for person in the water in Nushagak Bay, Alaska

00:05, ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Coast Guard suspended its search for a person in the water in Nushagak Bay, Monday.

Two MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crews and a C-130 Hercules aircraft crew from Air Station Kodiak searched approximately 650 square miles over the course of more than ten hours for a male crew member from the commercial fishing vessel Pail Rider who went overboard at approximately 3 a.m.

The search was suspended at approximately 4 p.m.

“Despite our very best effort today along with about 10 fishing boat crews who helped us search, we were not able to locate the man who went overboard this morning,” said Ray Dwyer, Coast Guard 17th District command duty officer for the case. “After an exhaustive effort, the difficult decision was made to suspend.”

-USCG-