Coast Guard answers vessel's distress call

JUNEAU - The U.S. Coast Guard was looking for a crew member reported to be overboard from a crab vessel Tuesday in the Bering Sea.

Chief Petty Officer Walter Shinn said Tuesday that rescuers are searching a 28-square-mile area in water northwest of Cold Bay, or about 650 miles south of Anchorage.

Shinn said the Coast Guard had two helicopters conducting the search and a C-130 maritime patrol aircraft coordinating communications.

Shinn said the 90-foot fishing vessel Seabrooke reported a 40-year-old male getting his feet tangled in a crab pot line while going overboard.

Seas were 3- to 5-feet with water temperatures at 34 degrees and air temperature at 19 degrees.