The search for a person who fell overboard from a bulk carrier ship off the Santa Barbara County coast was suspended late Tuesday night, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

At about 5 a.m. Tuesday, the Coast Guard command center in Long Beach was notified that a crew member had gone overboard from the African Cardinal some 14 miles southwest of Point Conception.

The Coast Guard issued an urgent marine information broadcast, and also directed the launch of an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter rescue crew from Point Mugu, and a small boat crew from Coast Guard Station Channel Islands.

The Coast Guard cutter Robert Ward also was diverted to assist in the search.

At 10:15 p.m., the Coast Guard announced that the search had been ended.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to this crew member’s friends and family,” said Chief Warrant Officer John Rose, search and rescue mission coordinator. “The decision to suspend an active search is never easy, and is only made after exhaustive efforts to find the missing person.” 

The Coast Guard crews searched by air and sea for nearly 15 hours, covering more than 200 square nautical miles.

The 650-foot African Cardinal is registered in Panama, and reportedly was en route from Shanghai, China, to Long Beach.

Anyone with information that could assist in the search is asked to contact the Coast Guard at 310.521.3801.