LOCATED SAFE - Missing Fishing Boat Crew Contacts Coast Guard

The Kay Ann was missing but Coast Guard officials are in contact and the crew is safe.

Coast Guard C-130 aircraft like those involved in the search for the Kay Ann.

(ASTORIA, Ore.) - The crew of the 39-foot fishing vessel Kay Ann contacted the Coast Guard at approximately 1:30 p.m. Friday.

The crew of the Kay Ann were two hours from Astoria when they called to inform officials they were fine.

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Mellon, homeported in Seattle, and two C-130 Hercules search plane crews from Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento, Calif., searched for the boat since late Thursday after the Kay Ann was reported overdue.

****************Original Release*******************

The Coast Guard reports that they are searching for an overdue 39-foot boat with three people onboard Friday.

A spokesman with the Coast Guard's Astoria station, says the fishing boat Kay Ann departed Newport, Oregon, Saturday, July 18th 2009, to fish for tuna.

The boat was due to return to Warrenton, Oregon, Wednesday. The co-owner of the Kay Anne reported the boat overdue late Thursday at Coast Guard Station Coos Bay.

The Coast Guard Cutter Mellon, homeported in Seattle, was diverted 70 miles due west of Siuslaw River, Oregon, to help in the search. A C-130 Hercules search plane crew was launched from Coast Guard Air Station Sacramento, California, to assist.

The Kay Ann is described as having a white hull with red and blue trim.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the Kay Ann and its crew should contact the 13th Coast Guard District command center at (206) 220-7001.