Worker missing after falling off barge in Chesapeake Bay

The following is the text of a press release issued by the U.S. Coast Guard:
 
(BALTIMORE, Md.) — The Coast Guard suspended its search Friday for a man reported missing Thursday night near the mouth of the South River in the upper Chesapeake Bay.
 
Missing is Gregory Luckett, 49, from Pasadena, Md.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Baltimore’s command center received notification via cell phone at 4:05 p.m., Thursday, reporting that Luckett fell into the water from the back of a 25-foot barge while returning from a work site.
A 41-foot utility boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Annapolis, Md., arrived on scene to search for Luckett at 4:10 p.m. Additionally, Maryland Natural Resources Police, Anne Arundel Fire Rescue, Maryland State Police, an Anne Arundel County helicopter and two rescue helicopter crews from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, N.J., assisted in the search.
The rescue crews searched approximately 60 square nautical miles throughout the night and conducted a first light search Friday.
“Suspending an active search is the hardest decision we have to make, we never make it lightly,†said Capt. Mark P. O’Malley, the commander of Sector Baltimore. “Despite an exhaustive search we were unable to locate Mr. Luckett. The Coast Guard and partnering agencies will continue to work to educate mariners about the dangers of cold water as the season changes.â€
The search is suspended pending further developments.
The case is currently under investigation.
By Professional Mariner Staff