Coast Guard suspends search for 2 missing crewmembers offshore of Port Aransas, Texas

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 10/22/2017 11:56 AM EDT

united states coast guard 

 News Release  

Oct. 22, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Public Affairs Detachment Texas
Contact: 8th District Public Affairs Detachment Texas
Office: (281) 464-4810
After Hours: (832) 293-1293

Coast Guard suspends search for 2 missing crewmembers offshore of Port Aransas, Texas

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Coast Guard suspended its search for two crewmembers offshore of Port Aransas, Texas Saturday evening.

The two men went missing after the forward section of a barge they were on exploded and caught fire Friday morning, three miles off the jetties of Port Aransas. 

The Coast Guard completed a comprehensive search for the two unaccounted crewmembers on Friday and Saturday. Multiple oil discharge recovery and Coast Guard assets are still on scene in the vicinity of the barge that continue to maintain a vigilant watch for the men.

The Coast Guard is ready to resume the search upon receiving any new information on the status or location of the two men.

“We want to convey our deepest condolences to the families of the two crewmembers,” said Capt. Tony Hahn, sector commander of Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi. “Our crews performed an exhaustive search and will continue to remain vigilant and monitor the area closely.”

-USCG-