Man overboard during heavy weather from Gustav found deceased

KEY WEST, Fla. – Coast Guard Sector Key West, Fla., responded to a report from the motor vessel Storm Bay of a man overboard, which happened while the vessel was transiting through heavy weather associated with Hurricane Gustav, 80 miles west of Key West.

The man was found deceased at approximately 10:50 a.m. by the crew of the Storm Bay.

The Storm Bay contacted the Coast Guard early Sunday morning stating a man was swept overboard while he was working on the outer decks.

Due to the severe weather conditions, Coast Guard aircraft were unable to immediately launch. Once weather conditions allowed, a HH60 helicopter from Air Station Clearwater, Fla. launched and began searching. The rescue helicopter was assisted by two good Samaritan vessels contacted through the Automated Mutual Assistance Vessel Rescue system. The Coast Guard cutter Venturous, homeported in St. Petersburg, Fla. was also en route to the search area.

Amver, sponsored by the United States Coast Guard, is a unique, computer-based, voluntary global ship reporting system used worldwide by search and rescue authorities to arrange for assistance to persons in distress at sea. With Amver, rescue coordinators can identify participating ships in the area of distress and divert the best-suited ship or ships to respond.

The name of the man is being withheld pending next of kin notification.


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