Coast Guard searching for person who fell overboard from freighter off Point Conception

A search was under way Tuesday night for a person who fell overboard from a bulk carrier ship off the Santa Barbara County coast, 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.

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.