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Search for Seabee kayakers called off
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More from Local NewsThe Coast Guard called off its search Friday afternoon for two Seabee kayakers missing since they went for a ride around San Nicolas Island on Wednesday morning.
"Having exhausted all possibility that we will find survivors, I have ordered our active search suspended," said Coast Guard Capt. Mark Hamilton, deputy commander for the Los Angeles-Long Beach region.
Christopher Victor and Justin Johnson, both in their 20s and Navy Seabees from Gulfport, Miss., left the north end of San Nicolas Island, where they were stationed, with two other kayakers about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday.
The missing men were last seen on a sand spit near the southeast corner of the island. The two other kayakers made it back to the island about noon Wednesday.
Three Navy helicopters, two Coast Guard choppers and the 87-foot Coast Guard cutter Halibut searched for the men Wednesday evening in winds near 35 mph and 6-foot waves. The Coast Guard searched some 2,000 square miles.
Rescuers found the missing men's kayaks about 6 p.m. Thursday some 35 miles southeast of San Nicolas and 14 miles west of San Clemente Island.
The kayaks were spotted by a Navy search-and-rescue airplane. A Coast Guard helicopter dispatched a diver, who searched unsuccessfully for the two men.
Hamilton said the Navy kept the men's families informed of the latest developments during the two-day search.
The men had been stationed at San Nicolas for only about two weeks when they went missing, said Teri Reid, a public affairs officer for Naval Base Ventura County.
Even though the search has been called off, Reid said Navy officials continue to hope the men will be found.
The search will resume if authorities receive information that could help in locating the men, Coast Guard Lt. Andrew Munoz said.
Posted by christafrankmiller on October 20, 2007 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
my thoughts and prayers are with them and their families!! i hope and pray they are found alive and safe! God bless the Seabees!!!
- a Seabee wife
Posted by myfamily on October 20, 2007 at 11:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Here are some facts that are not in your artical..
There were 6 kyakers, not 4. The Coast Guard sent out a press release about the search being called off BEFORE these mens' wives were informed.
The kyaks were found close to another island. That island has NOT been searched.
My sister is married to Justin Johnson and I was the one that first told her about the search being called off. She had NO IDEA!
Teri Reid hopes the men are still found...How is that going to happen if you stop searching. The likihood of finding Justin or Christopher alive is slim, we realize that, but if there is ANY hope, then the search should continue. The men are experienced and knew what they were doing. Justin at least knows how to suvive. These men are serving our country, the lease our country can do is serve them and search waters and island where the kyaks were found.
My heart goes out of Christopher's family. God bless.
Posted by barbie45 on October 20, 2007 at 1:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Myfamily, I thank you so much for the information you posted. I was really hoping that land was close to the location of the kyaks. I only read what the paper had reported.
I am close friends with Christopher's parents.
I had spoken with his father on Friday about 1:30 and he said they were still searching but when I got home about 5:45, I looked up online and found that the search had been called off. I then called our Pastor which was comforting the family and he knew nothing about the search being called off.
Having children myself, this situation is really hitting close to home. I can't imagine how the families feel. My heart goes out to both families.
I am praying for you. This is the time to "Keep your eyes on God". The Lord is still on his throne. He is still in charge. Blessed be his name. We see our world but God sees the bigger picture.
May Christopher and Justin be found. May this whole incident bring glory to God.
Posted by christafrankmiller on October 20, 2007 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
this is so frustrating to me- they hope theyre alive but theyre not looking for them!? why? cause they are "just seabees"!? i bet if it was britney or paris, theyd have every search crew available looking!! come on people... they deserve to be found... at least look for more than 2 or 3 days!! i am a Seabee spouse and would be very angry if they just quit like this!! after all they do for our country, we abandon them!?
my heart and prayers go out to them and their families!!
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