Thursday, March 7, 2013

Coast Guard Temporarily Suspends Search For 2 Missing Men Off Eastern Shore


PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard temporarily suspended the search Wednesday for two missing men approximately 15 miles east of Assateague Island, Md.

Due to the low visibility from clouds, rainfall and on scene winds of 50 to 60 mph, the Coast Guard suspended the search until sunrise Thursday.

Coast Guard 5th District watchstanders initially received an emergency position indicating radio beacon alert from the 67-foot fishing vessel Seafarer at 10:39 a.m.

Watchstanders contacted the vessel's owner, who believed the Seafarer had become disabled and the vessel's sister ship started towing the Seafarer.  It was reported that the ship lost the tow and sight of the Seafarer when weather conditions worsened.

Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City launched a Jayhawk crew to the Seafarers reported position. Once on scene, the aircrew rescued a man from a life raft and took him to Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, Md. Afterwards, the Jayhawk crew continued their search for the two missing men.

A 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew from Coast Guard Station Chincoteague also searched the area.


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