By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff
A Coast Guard Air Station Sitka helicopter and Station Juneau vessel searched early today for about 11 hours for a man reported missing off the cruise ship Konigsdam near Juneau Monday night.
Coast Guard spokesman Ian Gray said today that a nearby cruise ship, the Eurodam, had called at 10:45 p.m. to report someone on the ship had heard a “possible human voice coming from the water.”
A head count of crew members aboard the Konigsdam led to the discovery that a 31-year-old crew member was missing, Gray said.
The helicopter launched at 12:03 a.m. today to help search the Gastineau Channel. It headed back to Sitka around 10:35 a.m., and the search was officially suspended at 11:57 a.m., Gray said. Also involved in the search of area waters was a station Juneau vessel, which was first on the scene.
A statement from Holland America Line today said the man was reported missing shortly after the ship had left Juneau.
“A review of closed-circuit TV footage indicated the man likely went overboard intentionally,” the statement said.
“All of us at Holland America Line are deeply saddened by this incident and our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time,” the statement said. “We are offering counseling services to team members and guests who may have been affected by this incident.”
Those with information about the missing man may contact Sector Juneau Command Center watchstanders at 907-463-2980.
“The Coast Guard is working diligently with the assistance of other agencies to locate the crew member,” Ens. Maximilian Carfango, Sector Juneau command center duty officer, said in today’s news release. “Any information that can help us locate the crew member is greatly appreciated.”
