ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Coast Guard, along with the Alaska State Troopers, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Village of Port Graham, are conducting a search for a man reported missing near Passage Island southwest of Homer, Thursday.
Missing is Ryan Meganack, 34, of Port Graham.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Anchorage received a report that Meganack went missing Wednesday afternoon from Port Graham after he departed on a skiff and was last seen between the hours of 1 to 2 a.m. Wednesday. Sector Anchorage issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast to mariners in the area to be on the lookout. A good Samaritan located the skiff on the southeast side of Passage Island.
The extensive search involves aircrews from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak and surface vessels from the Alaska State Troopers, NOAA, the Village of Port Graham and good Samaritans.
Ground parties in the village of Port Graham conducted shoreline searches from Nanwalek to Port Graham using flashlights Wednesday evening.
Surface assets located the skiff swamped with the engine down and keys in the ignition and debris in the water.
The search encompasses an area approximately 15 miles by 11 miles from English Bay to Cook Inlet.
"We continue to saturate a search area with our partners where Meganack was reported missing,” said Chief Petty Officer Erik Patterson, Sector Anchorage, command duty officer. “Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts should contact the Sector Anchorage Command Center at 907-428-4100.”
Weather on scene was reported as snowing with 23-mph winds and one to two miles of visibility.