HOUSTON — The Coast Guard and the crew of a nearby ship are searching for a crewman who fell overboard while painting the side of a bulk carrier at anchor about 10 miles off Sabine Pass, Texas, Saturday.
The crew of the CF Crystal, a Chinese-flagged 738-foot bulk carrier, contacted Coast Guard Sector Houston/Galveston watchstanders at about 9 a.m., to report a 29-year-old crewman had fallen overboard while painting on the side of the ship. They reported that they threw the man a life ring, but couldn't get it to him and they saw him submerge shortly after. A Station Sabine Pass 45-foot rescue boatcrew arrived within 30 minutes and began searching and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Houston was sent to join them.
The Liberian flagged Corrido, a 600-foot tanker, lowered a life boat and joined the search, finding the missing man's hard hat.
The Coast Guard and ship's crews continue searching for the missing man.