After a night-long search of the dark ocean waters off Lincoln County proved unsuccessful, the United States Coast Guard (USCG) is still actively searching for a man swept into the sea from the rocky shoreline of Monhegan Island Friday afternoon, according to USCG spokesman Chief Rob Childress.
“We are searching for a survivor,” Chief Childress said. “This is not a recovery search.”
The search includes the 87-foot cutter Hammerhead summoned from Portsmouth and a 47-foot motor lifeboat from Coast Guard Station Boothbay Harbor. A Jayhawk helicopter that searched through the night has been recalled for the time being, according to Chief Childress.
“We are now 34 hours into the search and we have covered 170 square miles,” Chief Childress said. “We are planning on continuing this effort through sunset and then we will re-evaluate.”
The Coast Guard urges caution for all mariners and shoregoers because of the significant surf caused by tropical storm Katia.
More information will be posted on The Lincoln County News website as it becomes available.
