(Vevay, Ind.) - Search crews will return to the Ohio River between Switzerland County and Carroll County for the third straight day.

Justin Hearn Facebook

Justin Hearn is still missing since the boat he was duck hunting on sank in the river east of Vevay Monday morning.

Family and friends are still holding out hope Justin will be found alive somewhere. More than 1,100 people have joined a Facebook group where thoughts and prayers have been left for the Worthville, Ky. resident.

The sunken 16-foot john boat was found underwater Tuesday, but not Hearn. Crews continued searching past sundown.

“Operations have switched from search and rescue to search and recovery mode.  Operations of this nature in the best weather conditions take time.  This morning’s bitter cold slowed initial progress, causing havoc with some equipment components.  The planned redundancy of equipment on site has been of benefit,” said Gary Catron, public information officer with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Boats with side-scanning sonar will be back on the water Wednesday morning. Divers won’t be sent in until sonar identifies possible targets.

“There is no plan to risk scuba divers’ safety until there is a target image identified and is thought to be of importance that will aid in locating Justin,” Catron said.

A unified command post for the 16 agencies participating in the search has been established at the fire station in Warsaw, Ky.

Agencies assisting with the search include Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office, Gallatin County F.D., Kentucky EMA, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Resources, Indiana Conservation Officers, United States Coast Guard, Carroll County Emergency Management, Carroll County Rescue, Switzerland County EMA, Ghent F.D., Worthville F.D., Warsaw F.D., Patriot VFD, Posey VFD, Boone County Water Rescue and assisting on scene was the American Red Cross.

LINKS:

Ky. Man Still Missing In River

Man Missing In Ohio River