The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search Friday afternoon for a man reported overboard from the 190-foot fishing vessel Cape Greig in Ugashik Bay.
Grant Hildreth Jr., 25, fell off the F/V Cape Greig at about 4 p.m. Thursday, according to Alaska State Troopers. Officers said crew members attempted to toss a floatation device to Hildreth, but he went under the water and wasn't seen again. Witnesses said Hildreth was not wearing a personal floatation device.
According to a Coast Guard news release, a Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak HC-130 Hercules aircraft crew, a Station Kodiak MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and nine good Samaritan vessels searched a total of 13 square miles along the Ugashik Bay shoreline and up the river in efforts to locate Hildreth.
"Our deepest condolences go out to his family during this time of grieving," said Lt. Stephen Nolan, the command duty officer at USCG District 17 Command Center. "Even though we were unable to find the man, we are thankful that so many good Samaritans were willing to assist for the duration of the search."
Weather on scene was 8-mph winds, 12-miles visibility and calm seas with a strong incoming tide.