Coast Guard Suspends Search For Missing Florida Boaters
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| The missing boat is a 1995 23-foot white SportCraft, registration # FL9937HC. Credit: Venice Police Department |
VENICE, Florida - The U.S. Coast Guard is suspending its search for four men who left for a boating trip from Venice, Florida at approximately 8 a.m. on Saturday, February 17, 2024, and did not return Saturday night as planned.
The missing boaters are identified as Angel Hernandez Munoz, 38, of North Port; Ruben Mora Sr., 54, of Port Charlotte; Julio Cesar Cordero Briones, 37, of North Port; and Alfonso Vargas Parra, 35, of North Port.
Shortly after 8 a.m. on Sunday, February 18, Sarasota County Sheriff's dispatch contacted the Venice Police Department to check the Marina Park Boat Ramp (near the Historic Venice Train Depot) for a vehicle and boat trailer left behind by the group. The vehicle and trailer were located at the park.
The Venice Police Marine Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard, Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, Sarasota Police Department, Manatee County Sheriff's Office, and FWC began searching for the missing boaters on Sunday.
The Coast Guard searched areas beyond 9 miles offshore using multiple vessels and aircraft. Local law enforcement vessels are searched from the shore to 9 miles out.
Additional agencies joined the search on Monday in the Gulf of Mexico including the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, Sarasota Police Department, Venice Fire Rescue, Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, Lee County Sheriff's Office and Sea Tow Venice.
#Final @USCG suspended the search for the 4 missing people pending new information. #SAR
— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) February 20, 2024
