SEATTLE — The Coast Guard has suspended the search for a crabber reported overdue near Anacortes, Wednesday.
Dean Harvey, 48, of Bremerton, remains missing. Search crews spent 24 hours completing a total of 24 searches that covered a 909 square mile area with no signs of Harvey.
“Suspending the search for a missing person is one of the most difficult decisions we must make,” said Cmdr. Brian Meier, chief of response for Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound. “Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Mr. Harvey during this difficult time, especially on the eve of Thanksgiving.”
An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Port Angeles located an overturned and aground vessel reportedly matching the description of Harvey’s near the southeast corner of Lopez Island around 9 a.m. The crew of Coast Guard Cutter Adelie towed the vessel to shore. A 45-foot Response Boat — Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Bellingham also searched near Lopez Island.
Other agency responders involved in the search include an MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter crew from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island Search and Rescue, a Sentinel fireboat crew from the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, and an AS-350 A-Star helicopter crew and SAFE Boat crew from Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Air and Marine.
The search is suspended pending further developments.
View the initial press release here: http://goo.gl/fR2aFS