Coast Guard suspends search missing crewman north of Dutch Harbor

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Coast Guard suspended its search at 5:11 p.m. Monday for John Ree Payla, a 21 year-old Filipino crewman, reported missing from the 754-foot Panamanian-flagged cargo vessel Corona Infinity 40 miles north of Dutch Harbor Sunday.

Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak rescue crews conducted five searches using an HC-130 Hercules aircraft, an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, and an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter covering approximately 1,479 square miles. The Corona Infinity and the fishing vessel Andronica had searched the area continually since Sunday.

The Coast Guard received a call from the crew of the vessel about 5:30 p.m. Sunday indicating that one of their crewman had gone missing and his uniform had been found on the back of the ship about 3 p.m.

The Coast Guard immediately diverted an Air Station Kodiak HH-65 Dolphin helicopter assigned to the Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell and issued an urgent marine information broadcast encouraging vessels in the area to keep a look out for the man and assist if possible.

Weather in the area has been 30 mph winds, 11-foot waves, air temperature of 43 degrees Fahrenheit and a water temperature of 41 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Corona Infinity is a bulk coal carrier and was in transit to Prince Rupert, British Columbia, when they noticed the crewman had gone missing.


If you have any problems viewing this article, please report it here.