CAPE CHARLES, Va. (WVEC) -- The Coast Guard has suspended its search for a man who fell overboard from a cargo ship in the early morning hours Tuesday.
We're told authorities received a call around 2:10 am. about a 33-year-old Chinese crewman who fell overboard the 770-foot Lara Venture at the Cape Charles Anchorage.
The man was fastening a ladder on the starboard quarter of the ship when he fell.
He was last seen wearing orange coveralls and a dark blue jacket. He was not wearing a life jacket.
Crews searched for approximately 12 hours over an area covering about 112 square miles.
"Suspending a search is one of the most difficult choices we have to make in the Coast Guard, and several factors -- water temperature, weather conditions, and length of time the person has been missing -- inform the decision," said Coast Guard Capt. Rick Wester, commander, Sector Hampton Roads. "We extend our thoughts and prayers to the sailor's family and fellow crewmen."