Office of External Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard

Date: Aug. 5, 2008

Contact:  Lt. Stephen Nutting
(504) 846-5924

COAST GUARD CONTINUES SEARCH FOR MISSING FISHERMAN

NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard continues searching for Joseph McCatan, 28, who reportedly went missing near the Southwest Pass on the Mississippi River Sunday.

A crewmember aboard the commercial fishing vessel, the Kelli Michelle, called Coast Guard Station Venice at approximately 9 p.m. Sunday to report that McCatan was missing.  He was last seen aboard the Kelli Michelle at 6 p.m. on Sunday, when the vessel was in the vicinity of the Southwest Pass Sea Buoy. 

Coast Guard Sector New Orleans launched a HH-65C Dolphin rescue helicopter and crew from Air Station New Orleans and the Coast Guard Cutter Sturgeon to aid in the search and rescue operation. 

Multiple searches were conducted Sunday and Monday and the Coast Guard will continue searching throughout the day for the missing fisherman.

For any information regarding McCatan's whereabouts please contact Sector New Orleans at (504) 846-6162.

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