Coast Guard Suspends Search for Missing Fishermen in Washington
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iStockphoto/Thinkstock(SEATTLE) — The Coast Guard suspended its search Sunday off the coast of Washington state for four men who were aboard a fishing trawler that sent out a distress signal early Saturday morning.
U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Shawn Eggert says helicopters, planes and a number of boats searched an area of about 640 square miles for 30 hours after the distress beacon led them to a debris field with an oil slick and an empty lifeboat.
Eggert said rescuers searched for the missing men longer than anyone could have reasonably survived in 12-foot-high seas and 46-degree water. He said winds were blowing as strong as 70 miles an hour.
The Coast Guard has identified the men missing from the 70-foot fishing trawler Lady Cecelia as 22-year-old Luke Jensen, 25-year-old Chris Langel, 38-year-old Jason Bjaranson and 42-year-old Dave Nichols.
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