HOUSTON – After a 2-day effort, the Coast Guard has suspended its active search today at 5:49 p.m. for the missing 18-year-old in Sabine River near Orange, Texas.
The Coast Guard is continuing to broadcast a radio message requesting all mariners to report any information that may lead to locating the missing man.
The Coast Guard received a report Tuesday about a canoe that had been swamped south of the Naval Reserve Fleet Boat launch in Orange, putting four people into the water. Three of the people, including a woman nine-months pregnant, were able to make it to shore, but the fourth, Roger Frank, was not. Frank was last seen surfacing momentarily before he slipped below the water again.
The Coast Guard crews involved during the search included two helicopter crews from Coast Guard Air Station Houston and two rescue boat crews from Coast Guard Station Sabine, Texas. Local authorities, including the Orange County Sheriff’s and Police Departments and the Louisiana Parks and Wildlife will continue the search.
None of the four on board were wearing life jackets, and from reports, Frank was unable to swim, putting him into a dangerous situation that could have been avoided.
The Coast Guard reminds boaters to:
· wear Coast Guard approved life jackets
· be aware of weather and water conditions
· never boat or paddle alone
- file a float plan to let others know where you are going, and make sure they know what to do and who to call in case of an emergency.
- be constantly aware of other vessels in the immediate area
- be cautious – do not exceed your ability to handle your vessel
- carry a VHF radio – these radios allow for any boater in your vicinity to hear your call and the signal can be easily traced by the Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard strongly recommends that all boaters and paddlers take every opportunity to attend a recreational boating safety course to enhance their navigational skills. Courses are offered through their respective state, with the Coast Guard Auxiliary or the U.S. Power Squadrons, both of which can be accessed through http://uscgaux.org/ or http://usps.org/ . Additional course information is available through the BOAT/U.S. foundation at 1-800-336-BOAT.
The cause of the incident is still under investigation.
