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.
Port of Savannah longshoreman missing after fall into water
Longshore employer: Port of Montreal cargo must move
Longshore unions across nation pay tribute to George Floyd
Click for more American Shipper/FreightWaves stories by Senior Editor Kim Link-Wills.
Brokerage Compliance Symposium
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
F3 Awards Dinner
The night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
F3: Future of Freight Festival
Industry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The day before F3. Every compliance issue you face - fraud exposure, carrier liability, FMCSA rules, cargo theft, insurance gaps - navigated by attorneys and operators defining best practices in a changing industry.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowThe night before F3. FreightTech100 companies honored. FreightTech 25 and Shipper of Choice winners revealed live. Cocktail reception into dinner and live music - 300 industry leaders in one purpose-built room.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register NowIndustry-defining keynotes, rapid-fire technology demos, and industry leaders networking in experiences across Chattanooga - plus the inaugural F3 Awards Dinner featuring the FreightTech and Shipper of Choice reveals.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now