The Coast Guard has ended the search for a Port of Savannah longshoreman who fell into the water early Tuesday.
The longshoreman was identified as 70-year-old Joe Williams, a resident of the greater Savannah area in Georgia.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Charleston were notified by the Georgia Port Authority shortly before 3 a.m. Tuesday that a man had fallen into the water while transiting the gangway to the Maersk Tukang and had not resurfaced.
Maersk said normal vessel operations, which include the offloading and loading of cargo, were being conducted at the time.
In a press release issued at about 8:45 p.m. Tuesday, the Coast Guard announced that it had suspended the search for Williams.
“Our thoughts are with the loved ones of Mr. Williams during this very difficult time and we would like to thank all of the first responders who assisted with the search,” said Coast Guard Cmdr. Garrett Meyer, the search and rescue mission coordinator at Sector Charleston, in the statement.
Coast Guard assets involved in the search included an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Savannah and a 29-foot response boat from Station Tybee Island. Assisting were the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Savannah Fire and Rescue, Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, and Garden City Fire and Rescue.
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Click for more American Shipper/FreightWaves stories by Senior Editor Kim Link-Wills.
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Sargent
How heartbreaking for this family to not have closure. Thank you Kim Link-Wills for reporting on the workforce that moves cargo and takes on the personal risks inherent in this industry.
William Reiser
Very Sad-My heart goes out to his family.