JUNEAU, Alaska — Coast Guard crews suspended their search for a 40-year-old man near Sitka, Saturday.
A kayak belonging to the man was discovered on Kasiana Island approximately four miles northwest of Sitka, Friday, but search dogs and crews turned up no other sign of the man after a thorough search of the area. A first light search conducted by an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Sitka, Saturday, yielded no results.
Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crews, the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Liberty, Sitka Police, Sitka Fire and good Samaritans began their search Thursday after the man was reported missing by his wife.
"The decision to suspend a search is never an easy one to make and is done with great care and deliberation," said Lt. Stacey Tate, a search and rescue mission coordinator at Sector Juneau. "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the missing man."