The US Coast Guard (USCG) suspended the search for a man who reportedly jumped overboard from a freighter on Lake Michigan.
Crew members of the Stewart J. Cort (60,080 dwt, built 1971) witnessed the man, not wearing a life jacket, climb over the rail and jump early on Sunday morning.
As of Monday morning the man had not been named. But authorities would not confirm that it was a deliberate jump or a fall.
The incident happened a few miles offshore Big Sable Point on the eastern shore of the lake near Ludington in Mason County, with the vessel heading north. An alert was raised instantly and the ship turned to start searching for the man.
USCG sent out a response boat and two helicopters, which were joined by three motor vessels and then other commercial vessels that were in the vicinity.
After 11 searches over 76 square nautical miles USCG suspended its search citing high winds and rough water conditions.
The Stewart J. Cort is a 989-foot, U.S.-flagged freighter owned by the Interlake Steamship Company.
