The Coast Guard has suspended its search for a man who apparently fell from a boat into Casco Bay around 8 p.m. Thursday.
Crews covered nearly 350 square miles Thursday night and Friday morning in the search for Edward Berke, 30, who fell overboard from the 20-foot power boat, according to a statement from Coast Guard Lt. Matthew Bartnick.
Berke and three others had visited Chebeague Island for dinner and were on a boat heading back to Spring Point Marina in South Portland when others on the boat turned around and realized Berke was no longer aboard, Portland Harbormaster Kevin Battle said in a phone interview Friday morning.
Battle said a man was driving the 20-foot boat and two women were sitting up front in front of the cabin. When they passed the south point of Clapboard Island, they noticed Berke, who had been sitting in the stern seat, was no longer aboard.
He said conditions were calm in the area, but Berke had been sitting in the back of the boat, which passed through occasional wakes from other boats headed to watch the Portland fireworks.
Bartnick said he did not know Berke’s hometown, but his family is from Hampton, New Hampshire.
Authorities search for a missing man who disappeared off a boat on Thursday evening in Casco Bay. The search was called off early Friday afternoon. Derek Davis/Staff Photographer
Capt. Matt Baker, commander of the Northern New England Coast Guard Sector, issued a statement Friday offering condolences to the family.
“We conduct every search and rescue mission with the hope of returning missing people to safety, which is why suspending any search and rescue effort is one of the hardest decisions I made,” Baker said. “We are grateful for the dedication of the state and local agencies who contributed to this search effort.”
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