Search of Ohio River prompted by possible Mayday call; nothing found

Multiple emergency agencies scrambled to search a 40-mile stretch of the Ohio River on Thursday after the U.S. Coast Guard received what it called a possible Mayday alert.

The Coast Guard reportedly heard a call on a marine radio, but apparently heard no specific details, which led them to call out the local agencies out of an abundance of caution. 

The river was searched from Smithland Dam to Uniontown Dam for several hours by emergency management crews from Crittenden, Livingston and Union County; Kentucky Emergency Management; and water rescue teams from Crittenden, Livingston, Uniontown and Sturgis. From the Illinois side of the river, crews from Gallatin County, Shawneetown and Ridgway assisted the search.

After several hours, no emergency situation was found, and the Coast Guard advised crews Thursday afternoon to abandon the search.


(Photo: Google Maps)