JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Coast Guard suspended its search for three missing people, Saturday, on the St. Johns River pending the development of new information.
Coast Guard crews searched by air and sea for approximately 17 hours, covering more than 270 square miles.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of those missing,” said Lt. Cmdr. Barton Nanney, a Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville search and rescue mission coordinator. “Suspending search efforts is an incredibly difficult and heartbreaking decision, made only after an exhaustive and thorough search. We are truly grateful to our partner agencies for their relentless efforts and unwavering support.”
On Friday, Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville command center watchstanders received a report via VHF-FM channel 16 of an overturned 18-foot vessel with four people on top of the vessel and an additional four people possibly underneath the vessel. No one aboard the vessel was reportedly wearing lifejackets.
The four people on top of the vessel were rescued by a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office marine unit, and one person was recovered from the water unresponsive.
A Coast Guard Station Mayport rescue surface swimmer attempted to contact the people reportedly underneath the vessel but received no responses. Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office divers searched underneath the vessel but did not locate any people.
Involved in the search:
- Coast Guard Station Mayport
- Coast Guard Air Station Savannah
- Coast Guard Cutter Coho
- Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office
- Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department
- Clay County Sheriff's Office
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission took lead on search efforts and anyone with information should contact 911.
The cause of the capsizing is under investigation.
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