The U.S. Coast Guard announced today that it has suspended its search for Seaman Bryan K. Lee, a 23-year-old crew member of the Coast Guard cutter Waesche (WMSL 751). Lee was reported missing on the morning of Feb. 4 while the vessel was operating in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The search was called off Saturday, Feb. 8, after covering more than 19,000 square nautical miles over 190 hours without success.
Lee, from Rancho Cordova, Calif., was discovered unaccounted for at 6:45 a.m. local time on Tuesday while the 418’x54’ cutter Waesche was conducting a routine counter-drug patrol approximately 300 nautical miles south of Mexico. The cutter immediately diverted from its patrol to begin search operations.
“Our most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Seaman Lee,” said Cmdr. David Stern, search and rescue mission coordinator for Coast Guard District Eleven. “Considering all pertinent factors and available information, we made the difficult decision to suspend the search. This case has been extraordinarily challenging, and the decision to suspend the search pending new information is not an easy choice. We’re thankful for the support from our units and partners who searched a significant region of the Pacific Ocean.”
The search effort involved multiple Coast Guard assets as well as support from U.S. and Mexican agencies. Participating units included Waesche and its embarked helicopter aircrew, two Customs and Border Protection Dash-8 aircraft from Joint Interagency Task Force – South, a U.S. Air Force 39th Rescue Squadron C-130 aircraft, a U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak C-130 aircraft, Waesche’s embarked unmanned aircraft system drone, a Mexican Navy offshore patrol vessel, and a Mexican Navy maritime patrol aircraft.
The Coast Guard has stated that the search remains suspended pending any new developments. The circumstances surrounding Lee’s disappearance have not been disclosed.
