JUNEAU, Alaska, July 25 (UPI) -- The search for a California man who vanished from a cruise ship off southeastern Alaska has been called off, the U.S. Coast Guard says.
Blake Kepley, 20, of Fallbrook went missing from a Holland America cruise ship early Friday, the Anchorage Daily News reported.
Holland America notified the Coast Guard Friday afternoon that the California man went overboard. The Coast Guard then began a search by air and water for the man.
Three MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters, a patrol boat and motor life boat conducted a nearly 24-hour search, scouring 352 square miles, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
The search was suspended by the Coast Guard Saturday afternoon after there had been no sign of Kepley.
"Suspending a case is one of the hardest decisions that we as search and rescuers have to make and our thoughts and prayers are with the family," said Petty Officer 1st Class Lindsey Kirby.
