Coast Guard cancels search for man who fell from boat in Casco Bay

July 5 — The Coast Guard suspended the search for a man who apparently fell from a boat in Casco Bay around 8 p.m. on July 4.

Crews searched nearly 350 square miles for about 30 hours for Edward Berke, 30, who fell overboard from the 20-foot motor boat, according to a statement from Coast Guard Lt. JG Matthew Bartnick.

Berke and three others visited Chebeague Island for dinner and were on a boat heading back to Spring Point Marina in South Portland when others on the boat turned around and realized Berke was no longer on board, said Portland Harbor Master Kevin Battle, in a phone interview Friday morning. .

Battle said a man was driving the 20-foot boat and two women were sitting in the front of the cabin. As they passed the southern point of Clapboard Island, they noticed that Berke, who had been sitting on the stern bench, was no longer on board.

He said conditions were calm in the area, but Berke was sitting in the back of the boat, which passed occasional waves of other boats heading to watch the Portland fireworks.

Bartnick said he didn’t know Berke’s hometown, but his family is from Hampton, New Hampshire.

Capt. Matt Baker, commander of Coast Guard Sector Northern New England, issued a statement Friday offering condolences to the family.

“We carry out all search and rescue missions with the hope of returning missing people to safety, which is why suspending any search and rescue efforts is one of the most difficult decisions I have made,” Baker said. “We are grateful for the dedication of state and local agencies who contributed to this search effort.”

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