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          The Coast Guard is searching for 11 fishermen from the Kodiak-based fishing vessel Katmai after responding to an emergency beacon detected approximately 100 miles west of Adak.

          The Coast Guard recieved an EPIRB signal at 1:08 a.m. today. The Coast Guard launched two C-130 long range surveillance aircrafts from Air Station Kodiak as well as an HH-60 Jayhawk. The C-130 also is carrying a relief crew for the helicopter.

          The 93-foot Katmai is homeported in Kodiak.

          This afternoon the Coast Guard helicopter crew  located an empty survival suit and the EPIRB registered to the Katmai with strobe lights attached floating in the water. They also located a partially deflated life raft along with the two life rafts the Coast Guard C-130 dropped earlier. There was no sign of the Katmai or any crewmember.

          The Coast Guard Cutter Acushnet, an Alaska Air National Guard C-130 and a Blackhawk helicopter are also enroute to assist in the search.

          The Coast Guard reports north winds at 30 knots, 10-15 foot seas, rain and snow, with visibility of 3 miles.