NEW ORLEANS – The Coast Guard continues its search for a missing crewman from the fishing vessel AC III 58 miles south of Mobile Bay, Ala., Friday.
Missing is Benjamin Sorrells, 35, who was reportedly leaning over the side when he slipped overboard Thursday evening. The AC III crew attempted multiple rescues of Sorrells. He was not wearing a life jacket at the time.
Watchstanders with Coast Guard Sector Mobile received the initial notification Thursday at 6:20 p.m., and they directed the launch of a Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile, Ala., HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew and diverted a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from training to assist in the search.
Multiple aircrews from ATC Mobile and Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans, alongside the crews of the Coast Guard Cutter Stingray, AC III, and the good Samaritan vessels Randy J and Bobcat conducted searches.
Rescue crews have searched for a combined total of nearly 24 hours and covered a combined total of more than 584 square miles.