Search For Missing Fisherman Called Off

Search Bayou La Batre The Coast Guard has called off the search for a missing fisherman who vanished Sunday evening.

by Jessica Taloney

Published: Wed, August 06, 2008 - 4:49 pm CST Last Updated: Wed, August 06, 2008 - 4:51 pm CST

The Coast Guard has called off its search for a missing Irvington man last seen Sunday night on a shrimp boat near the Southwest Pass on the Mississippi River.
Rescue crews launched the final helicopter in the search early Wednesday morning but found no trace of Joe McCartan, 34.
McCartan was last seen Sunday evening sleeping in the cabin of the "Kelli Michelle," a commercial fishing boat based in Bayou La Batre. The boat's captain and a deckhand say McCartan, who has a wife and three young children, had become ill on the boat and they were returning home.
The Coast Guard is broadcasting a radio message to other boaters alerting them about the missing fisherman, but a spokesperson says they will not send out any more boats or aircraft to search unless they receive new information.
McCaran's family says they are disappointed the search has ended after less than 72 hours.
"There's no clue on the boat of what happened," says Bradley Steele, McCartan's cousin. "There are just so many unanswered questions," he said.
The Kelli Michelle returned to Bayou La Batre Tuesday evening.
The Coast Guard says McCartan's disappearance is not suspicious.

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