(SitNews) Juneau, Alaska - The Coast Guard has suspended the search this evening for a missing 55-year-old male who reportedly fell from a pier in Kake, Alaska.

"Suspending a search is one of the hardest decisions we make in the Coast Guard,” said Cmdr. Byron Hayes, Sector Juneau search and rescue mission coordinator. "The decision is made with great care and deliberation, and with heavy hearts for the family and friends of the missing man.”

Wednesday, 9/19/18, at about 8:51 PM, Ketchikan State Trooper dispatch personnel received a report that Reginald Skeek Jr, 55 of Kake, had not been seen since approximately 3:30 PM Wednesday. 

According to the Trooper Dispatch, Skeek was reportedly seen at the liquor store prior to his disappearance.  It was reported that community members were already out searching. Two Village Public Safety officers were advised and joined the search efforts but were unable to locate Skeek. 

On Thursday, a review of surveillance footage from the Kake Liquor Store showed an unidentified individual falling off the dock into the water behind the liquor store around 1:00 PM on Wednesday.  The VPSOs and two AWT troopers continued search efforts as additional troopers and the Coast Guard assisted in the search.  An ROV was used in the search.

A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew searched the shoreline and surrounding waters in an effort to locate the male.

Coast Guard Sector Juneau watchstanders received notification at 7:55 a.m., Thursday, from a family member of the missing man reporting his unknown whereabouts since Wednesday afternoon.

Along with the Coast Guard, residents of Kake, Alaska State Troopers and Village Public Safety Officers all assisted in the search.

Weather was reported as light winds, good visibility, 1-2 foot seas, a water temperature of 55 degrees and an air temperature of 52 degrees.

Reporting & Editing by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News:

USCG
www.uscg.mil

Alaska Department of Public Safety
www.dps.alaska.gov

 

 

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