JUNEAU, Alaska — Coast Guard crews are searching Bristol Bay for a mariner reported overdue between Egegik and Ugashik, Thursday.
Roland Briggs, the lone mariner aboard the 50-foot landing craft Ketivik, was due in Egegik Wednesday afternoon, according to a family member.
Coast Guard crews currently involved in the search include an HC-130 Hercules aircraft crew and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak and the Coast Guard Cutter Munro crew. A good Samaritan also assisted in the search using a small aircraft on Thursday.
At this time, crews have covered 6,339 square miles using search patterns. On Thursday evening, the Hercules crew spotted debris matching the description of gear on Briggs’ vessel. Coast Guard 17th District command center watchstanders are using the finding to hone search patterns.
Weather on scene is reported as 2-foot seas, 20-mph winds and 10 miles of visibility.
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Briggs should contact the 17th District command center at 907-463-2000.