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Coast Guard calls off search for fisherman who fell overboard yesterday off Gloucester

Print | Comments () Posted by Janet Walsh October 31, 2010 01:53 PM

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By Miriam Valverde, Globe Correspondent

The Coast Guard has suspended its search for a fisherman who fell overboard yesterday morning about 46 miles southeast of Gloucester.

"It is always difficult to suspend a search," said Lieutenant Junior Grade Marie Haywood, command duty officer at Coast Guard Sector Boston, in a press release.

A total of 14 searches were conducted throughout the day and night over more than 800 nautical miles, said Lieutenant Garrett Meyer.

The rescue mission consisted of three air searches and the use of three cutters and a 47-foot motorized boat, Meyer said.

The 42-year-old single man was onboard the Miss Lindsey II working on the nets when he fell. No details on what caused his fall were released.

Crew members on the commercial fishing vessel told the Coast Guard that the man was a poor swimmer or could not swim and was not wearing a life vest.

When deciding when to call off a rescue mission, Meyer said the Coast Guard takes into account weather conditions, water temperature, how long the person has been in the water, and how well searchers feel they've covered the area.

Meyer said they also consider how quickly they were able to get to the scene. "We got out there with aircraft very quickly and the initial search area wasn't that large," he said.
Family members were notified earlier today after the search was called off just before 10 a.m.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to the family of the crewman who fell overboard," said Haywood in the release.