Coast Guard suspends search for missing barge worker on Lower Mississippi

(NEW ORLEANS) — The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search for a missing person Wednesday in the Lower Mississippi River near Jefferson Heights in Jefferson Parish, La.

Missing is Elisander Alvardo, 44, last seen wearing coveralls and no life jacket.

Watch standers with Coast Guard Sector New Orleans received a call at approximately 3 p.m. Tuesday from Zito Fleeting reporting one of its barge workers had fallen overboard near mile marker 105 in Jefferson Parish.

The Coast Guard searched approximately 114 square nautical miles continuously for eight hours.

The watch standers issued an urgent marine information broadcast and directed the launch of search and rescue assets.

Involved in the search were crews from:

• Coast Guard Station New Orleans 29-foot response boat-small II crew
• Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew
• Jefferson Parish Sheriffs County helicopter crew
• Jefferson Parish Sheriffs County marine unit

– U.S. Coast Guard

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By Professional Mariner Staff