Search suspended for two overboard shipmates

This just in from the U.S. Coast Guard:

March 12, 2010

Coast Guard suspends search for missing crewmen 850 miles south of Kodiak

JUNEAU — The Coast Guard suspended its search about 12:38 p.m. today for two crewmembers reported to have fallen overboard Thursday from the 925-foot Hanjin Pretoria 850 miles south of Kodiak.

Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak rescue crews conducted two searches using an HC-130 Hercules aircraft covering approximately 852 nautical miles.

The 17th Coast Guard District command center in Juneau was notified of the missing crewman at approximately 3:45 p.m. Thursday and issued an urgent marine information broadcast requesting the assistance of any vessels in the area.

The Hercules aircraft and crew were launched at approximately 5:51 p.m. Thursday from Kodiak and a second Hercules was launched at first light today to continue the search.

Weather conditions during the second search included 46 mph winds and 10-foot seas. Water temperature was 46 degrees.

The Liberian-flagged vessel was en route from Long Beach, Calif., to Asia.