ST. LOUIS — The Coast Guard is coordinating a search-and-rescue operation with state and local agencies for a woman in the water near St. Charles, Ill.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River received a report at approximately 4 p.m. Friday of a person in the water from the pilot aboard the Golden Eagle Ferry in Golden Eagle, Ill.; the person appeared to enter the water directly after the ferry left the Missouri bank. It was unclear if the incident was intentional or accidental. The person is described as a white female with blonde hair wearing shorts and a light-colored tank top.
Sector Upper Mississippi River issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast and assumed the role of search-and-rescue mission coordinator.
Search-and-rescue resources are:
- A 24-foot Response Boat — Small boatcrew from Sector Upper Mississippi River;
- Two St. Charles Fire Department vessels;
- A Missouri State Water Patrol boatcrew;
- Two vessels from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
All surface assets are on scene searching a three-mile area across the Mississippi River, and the Metro Air Support Group of St. Louis has conducted a helicopter overflight.
“Close interagency relations are the cornerstone of successful operations,” said Lt. Colin Fogarty, incident management chief at Sector Upper Mississippi River. “These operations are based upon well-grounded and firmly established relations with our local and state partners.”
Anyone with information is requested to contact Sector Upper Mississippi River at (314) 269-2463.
