Search Ends For Missing Sailor From San Diego-Based USS Lake Erie

SAN DIEGO, CA – The search and rescue mission for a missing sailor assigned to the USS Lake Erie has ended after four days, the U.S. Navy announced Thursday.

The crew on the USS Lake Erie, a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser docked in San Diego, conducted man-overboard procedures after the sailor failed to report at 7 a.m. Sunday. The ship was conducting routine training operations with the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

Seven U.S. Navy ships along with multiple Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol aircraft searched more than 16,550 square nautical miles of open water. The ship's crew also completed multiple searches of the ship for the sailor, whose name has not been released.

The Navy and Coast Guard suspended the search around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the Sailor's family during this difficult time," Capt. Christine O'Connell, commanding officer of USS Lake Erie, said in a statement. "Losing a shipmate is devastating and felt by our entire crew. We will continue to support the family in any way we can."

The sailor's next of kin have been notified, Navy officials said. The incident remained under investigation.

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PHOTO: 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS (Oct. 22, 2017) The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) steams through the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. Lake Erie is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations to reassure allies and partners, and preserve the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Alexander A. Ventura II/Released)