The following is text of a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard:
(KODIAK, Alaska) — The Coast Guard suspended its search Monday for a 22-year-old male who reportedly fell overboard from the motor vessel Challenge Prelude, 110 miles south of Sand Point, Alaska.
Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak aircrews in coordination with the crew of Challenge Prelude conducted a thorough search of the area, spanning 673 square miles for a combined 14 hours.
Coast Guard District 17 command center watch standers received notification from the master of Challenge Prelude at approximately 2:17 p.m. Sunday, stating that they noticed the 22-year-old seaman was missing at around 1:25 p.m. The master also reported that they then proceeded to sound a general emergency and conducted crew and space accountability. The master then followed his reciprocal track line back to where the crewmember was last seen, and verified that all lifesaving equipment was accounted for on board Challenge Prelude during this time.
“The Coast Guard utilized various assets, while saturating the search area in hopes of finding the 22-year-old,” said Capt. Darran McLenon, District 17 chief of response. “Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends."
