Coast Guard Suspends Search For Missing Case Inlet Kayaker

The U.S. Coast Guard announced Wednesday afternoon that it would suspend a search for a kayaker who went missing in the Case Inlet Tuesday night. The coast guard and other agencies searched 16 square miles over 12 hours for Andrew W. Aldrich, 31.

The coast guard, however, stopped short of declaring that Aldrich had died.

"The Coast Guard shares sorrow with friends and family of Aldrich after conducting a very thorough search with three assets from three different units," Commander Brian Meier, search mission coordinator, said in a press release. "We again remind all on-water or in-water participants to stay away from the extremely cold water or at the very least be prepared with emergency lifesaving gear so incidents like this one are avoided."

Aldrich entered the water near Allyn around 11:45 p.m. Tuesday, according to the coast guard. He was using the kayak to go about 300 yards from a boat to his car parked along the shore. Aldredge was not wearing a life jacket. He was last seen wearing a green Carhartt jacket.

Authorities found an empty yellow kayak around 9 a.m. Wednesday. The coast guard is asking all boaters in the area to keep an eye out. Anyone who knows where Aldredge might be or has information about his disappearance can call the Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound Command Center at 206-217-6001.

Image via U.S. Coast Guard