Search called off for seaman who fell from tanker
The U.S. Coast Guard suspended a search for a crewman who fell from an Overseas Shipholding Group tanker about 20 miles south of the Ambrose Channel on Sunday morning.
The Coast Guard, New York Police Department, Nassau County Police, and Air National Guard rescuers searched about 2,000 square miles, an area greater than the size of Rhode Island, for 36 hours without locating the 46-year-old Philippine national before calling off the search at 10 p.m. Monday night. Searchers deployed 11 ships, boats, airplanes and helicopters.
Authorities are withholding his name until next of kin notifications can be completed.
“We came to this decision after considering many factors including sea temperature, this crewman’s attire, the known location of where he fell overboard, and searching an expansive area for 36 hours with multiple rescue crews without finding him. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, his friends and his shipmates,” said Lt. Richard Sullivan, Coast Guard Sector New York duty officer.
The crewman fell from the tanker Overseas Altamar as it was en route to the Port of New York from the Netherlands.
When the crewman apparently slipped and fell into the sea Sunday morning, other crewmen threw him a life ring, and the ship radioed the Coast Guard and changed course in an attempt to relocate him. He was reportedly wearing orange coveralls and a blue flotation jacket. The water temperature was reported at 73 degrees, the seas at two feet, and about two miles of visibility throughout Monday’s search.
Search called off for seaman who fell from tanker
