NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard has suspended the search for an overdue diver 55 miles offshore Grand Isle, Monday.
Missing is Tim Raines, 56.
At approximately 10:30 a.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a relay on VHF-FM radio from the vessel Early Life Crisis reporting a diver who was overdue by 30 minutes.
Since the search commenced Saturday evening, the Coast Guard has searched a 5,680 square-mile area more than 82 hours with the following assets:
- Seven MH-65 Dolphin helicopters and crews from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans;
- Five HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft and crews from Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile, Ala.;
- A 45-foot Response Boat — Medium and crew from Coast Guard Station Grand Isle;
- The Coast Guard Cutter Sturgeon and crew;
- The Coast Guard Cutter Pelican and crew.
“We coordinated and planned extensive search operations attempting to locate Mr. Raines; searching more than 5,680 miles over the course of three days. Unfortunately, we were unable to locate Mr. Raines despite our best efforts,” said Lt. Josiah Starr, command duty officer at Sector New Orleans. “Our hearts and prayers go out to the his family.”
The search is suspended pending further developments.
– See more at: http://www.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/1804319/#sthash.Izvhxjx4.dpuf
