Coast Guard: Search suspended for man who fell into Boston Harbor

BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com/AP) – The Coast Guard along with state and local agencies have suspended the search for a 41-year-old man who fell off a ferry and into the Boston Harbor Saturday night pending further developments.

According to the Bay State Cruise Company, the unidentified man was aboard the Provincetown II ferry when he fell into the water from the third deck at about 10:35 p.m. The incident occurred just opposite South Boston's Castle Island.

The Bay State Cruise Company, which operates the vessel, said in a statement, "Our hearts and blessings are with those close to the gentleman who has gone missing. We are moved beyond words by the emotions of the event. There are no words to adequately describe our sympathies."

Several witnesses aboard the ferry reportedly told the company and authorities the man had been engaging in horseplay when he fell from the ferry. The company said two passengers, as well as a ferry staff member, attempted to stop the man from scaling the ship's railings, but they were unable to do so.

According to the Bay State Cruise Company, ferry staff members immediately enacted their rescue procedure and positioned crew members as lookouts; however, they did not see the passenger come to the surface of the water.

Sunday's search involved as many as six first responder vessels, a helicopter, and two of Bay State Cruises' vessels. The Provincetown II was traveling at 5 mph at the time of the incident and the harbor waters were calm.

"We are using a variety of Coast Guard, State and local agencies in the search," said Cmdr. Sean Carroll, the search and rescue mission coordinator at Sector Boston. "This is a significant, multi-agency effort."

The Provincetown II was carrying 370 passengers and 21 staff. The cruise started at 8 p.m. and was scheduled to dock in Boston at 11 p.m.

Cox Media Group