The search for a clammer who went missing in Thursday’s blizzard produced no results Sunday despite authorities’ use of an airplane to search the area where they believe he was clamming.
Jeff Nichols, spokesman for the Department of Marine Resources, said Sunday evening that a Maine Marine Patrol plane scoured Long Cove in Tenants Harbor for nearly two hours Sunday without success. Tenants Harbor is a village of St. George.
Nichols said the search for 33-year-old Paul Benner of Thomaston will resume Monday, weather permitting.
Benner’s skiff was recovered about midnight Thursday, a few hundred yards from the causeway at Clark Island, across the dock from where Benner departed.
The search, which began Thursday, has included personnel from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, the Coast Guard, area fire departments and volunteers. It was temporarily called off Saturday because of ice and slush from the bitterly cold weather.
Nichols said marine patrol Sgt. Rob Beal headed up Sunday’s efforts, which were focused on evaluating and clearing the ice from the Long Cove area in preparation for side scan sonar equipment, which will be brought in Monday to aid with the search.
Side scan sonar emits a pulse toward the ocean floor. The acoustic reflections can indicate the presence of a submerged object.
According to The Courier-Gazette newspaper, Benner has been clamming for most of his life. He started clamming and lobstering as a young boy with his father. He is a graduate of Camden Hills Regional High School.
Hard work was one of Benner’s best qualities, his sister, Nichole Moose, told the newspaper.
“He is the hardest worker you could possibly meet, hence his being out in such conditions,” Moose said.
Benner was last seen around 6 p.m. Thursday when he left the mainland in his 14-foot skiff to go clamming. His father reported him missing just before 11 p.m.
Beth Quimby can be contacted at 791-6363 or at:
bquimby@pressherald.com
Twitter: bquimby
Dennis Hoey can be contacted at 791-6365 or at:
dhoey@pressherald.com
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