Search Called Off For Man Overboard Off The Catalina Express

LONG BEACH, CA — The search was called off Friday evening for a 24-year-old man who fell or jumped overboard from a Catalina Express vessel after the boat left Long Beach.

The announcement was made at 8:50 p.m. by the U.S. Coast Guard Los Angeles.

"Pending further updates, the @USCG has called off the search for a man who fell from a Catalina Island passenger ship off Long Beach after utilizing 22 Coast Guard and partner agency assets to search more than 600 square miles," the Coast Guard tweeted.

Rescue crews had continued to search all day Friday for the man who went into the water off the coast of Long Beach Thursday evening.

The ship had just left Long Beach on the way to Catalina, and it was about three miles offshore, according to authorities. The incident occurred at about 6 p.m. Thursday, according to the U.S Coast Guard, which was searching for the man along with the Los Angeles County Fire and Sheriff's departments and the Long Beach Fire Department. The ship's crew members saw the man go into the water.

"Deckhands actually saw some of it, so when they saw him hit the water, they threw a life ring over and ... we are looking for him," Greg Bombard, president of Catalina Express, told CBS2.

Rescuers searched with helicopters and boats, covering about 120 nautical square miles as of about 7 a.m. Friday, according to the Coast Guard.

Authorities said they would continue the effort throughout the day Friday.

A family member told KTLA5 early Friday afternoon from the dock area that her grandson was with his girlfriend, and they were on their way to Santa Catalina Island when he went overboard.

"He was calling for help but the boat was going too fast," the woman said. "They tried to come back and get him, but he was gone."

"I don't know why they were going to Catalina. I just know they were on the boat and then he dived over.... I'm not sure why he dived over, but I know he wasn't committing suicide because he came up and ... other people said he was waving to get help, so that's not what someone does when they commit suicide," she said.

"Every time he saw me, he would say I love you grandmommy and always hugging me. He was just a sweet person. It would take a lot to make him angry. He was a sweet young man," she said. "We're still hoping that ... maybe he hung onto a buoy or something. So our hope is that they find him and that he's OK."

The man's younger sister said, "He was my best friend and we miss him and we just want him to be safe."

City News Service contributed to this report.