MATINICUS ISLAND (AP) – The Coast Guard has suspended its search for a Maine lobsterman who went missing near Matinicus Island.

The Coast Guard made its decision after a Falcon jet completed a final sweep of the area at 6:03 p.m. Tuesday without any sign of 24-year-old Chris Whitaker. Officials say Whitaker left the day before aboard a 21-foot skiff and was last seen about two miles east of Matinicus.

The Coast Guard was joined by a fleet of local fisherman and an airplane from Brunswick Naval Air Station during a search that went through the night and the daylight hours on Tuesday.

All that was recovered was a boot, cooler, fishing gaff and rain gear belonging to Whitaker. Ken Stuart, search and rescue specialist, says the active search was suspended pending further developments.

AP-ES-10-28-08 1855EDT