The Coast Guard suspended their portion of the search for the deckhand who went overboard from F/V Swift in Excursion Inlet.
Alan Young, 25, of Chehalis, Washington fell or jumped from the vessel on Monday night near an area commonly known as ‘Home Shore’. Alaska State Troopers say Young was last seen entering the water and attempting to swim to the beach without a flotation device.
The vessel’s skipper, Tim Lane, 47, of Sitka, launched a dinghy and attempted a rescue. He also ended up in the water and floated for several hours with a personal flotation device. After he was rescued, he was eventually transported to Juneau for treatment of mild hypothermia.
The U.S.C.G Cutter Liberty, a 45-foot response boat, two H-60 helicopters, the Civil Air Patrol, and the National Park Service searched on Tuesday. Nothing was found, but a SEADOG team alerted on an area over the water.
Lt. Sarah Morin of the Coast Guard Command Center in Juneau says they searched for 43 asset hours in an area encompassing over 420 square miles.
Alaska State Troopers will continue with the effort on Wednesday with an underwater camera. They may also call in divers to the scene.
