January 29, 2009

Coast Guard investigates report of man jumping from fishing vessel into Bering Sea

From a US Coast Guard press release:

Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Unalaska is investigating a report of a 39-year old male jumping into the Bering Sea 11 miles northeast of Unalaska from the 58-foot fishing vessel Arctic Fox while en route to Dutch Harbor, Alaska, at 11:36 a.m. today.

Arctic Fox crewmembers reported the man, not wearing a survival suit, refused to swim toward a life ring thrown to him and swam away from a fellow crewman who donned a survival suit and went in to rescue him. The man then reportedly dove and was not seen again.

A Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak H-65 Dolphin helicopter, forward deployed in Cold Bay, launched at 1:22 p.m.and searched 16 square miles with visibility less than 1 mile in blowing snow and fog. The seas were 6 feet, winds at 16 mph and a water temperature of 37 degrees.

The search was suspended at 4:25 p.m. today.

The fisherman's name has not been released pending next of kin notification.