LONG BEACH, Wash. — The Coast Guard suspended its search at 10:45 a.m., Thursday, for a woman that was reportedly swept away while swimming in the vicinity of Sid Snyder Beach in Long Beach, Wednesday night.
Coast Guard crews aboard an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, from Sector Columbia River, in Warrenton, Oregon, and a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat, from Station Cape Disappointment, conducted four searches covering 625 trackline miles within 48 square miles, and responders from the Washington State Police conducted a beach search.
The missing women is reportedly of Korean ethnicity and is 5-feet 5-inches tall and 130 pounds.
The helicopter crew searched from about 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., before dense fog and darkness caused operational safety concerns. An aircrew returned to the scene at sunrise and continued searching before suspending their search at 9:30 a.m. The boatcrew also started their search at approximately 11 p.m. but was able to continue searching until 3 a.m., before their operational safety was also hindered by darkness and fog.
"Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of the missing woman," said Capt. David Berliner, deputy commander, Coast Guard Sector Columbia River. " The decision to suspend a search and rescue case is the hardest decision I make as a leader and Coast Guardsman, but I also know our crews did everything they could have done to have a better outcome."
The boyfriend of the woman reported the incident to Pacific County 911 dispatch, who then notified Coast Guard Station Cape Disappointment. Watchstanders at Sector Columbia River Command Center were notified at 10:37 p.m., and immediately launched an aircrew to conduct searches.
At the time of the incident, the water and air temperature off Long Beach was 60 degrees.
Original search news release: IMAGERY AVAILABLE: COAST GUARD, LOCAL RESPONDERS SEARCHING FOR WOMAN SWEPT OFF LONG BEACH, WASH.