CLEARWATER, Fla. – The Coast Guard suspended the search for a missing boater at approximately 9:20 p.m., Thursday, approximately 46 miles off Anclote Key, pending the development of new information.
Missing is 42-year-old Brandon Taylor. Brandon is the best friend of Palm Bay City Councilman Mike Hammer.
Coast Guard and partner agency crews searched by air and sea covering approximately 4,316 square miles, about the size of Connecticut. On-scene weather conditions during the search were 19-mph winds and 5-foot seas.
“We offer our sincere condolences to Mr. Taylor’s family and friends,” said Cmdr. Ben Stanley, a Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg search and rescue mission coordinator. “There is no harder choice than to suspend a search. Thank you to the multiple crews involved for their professionalism, persistence, and compassion throughout the search.”
A good Samaritan rescued a 44-year-old male and reported to Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders at approximately 1 p.m., Wednesday, there was still another person missing without a life jacket and no vessel was visible.
Pasco County Sheriff’s Office is leading the missing person investigation and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is leading the boating accident investigation.
Rescue crews involved in the search:
- Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater
- Coast Guard Station Sand Key
- Coast Guard Air Station Miami
- Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City
- Coast Guard Auxiliary aircraft
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Pasco County Sheriff’s Office
- Eglin Air Force Base
- MacDill Air Force Base
If you have any information on the whereabouts of the missing boater please contact the Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg command center at 866-881-1392.
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