JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Coast Guard suspended its search for a missing boater near Atlantic Beach late Wednesday night.
The Coast Guard covered more than 6,788 square miles during a 129.5-hour search for Peter J. Rodrigues.
“The Coast Guard prides itself on rescuing survivors and returning them to their friends and family. Despite the exceptional efforts of our many different partner agencies and volunteers from across the region, we made the difficult decision to suspend our search. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Rodrigues family during this very difficult time,” said Lt. Cmdr. Gabe Somma, the Coast Guard 7th District public affairs officer. “Tragically, this case highlights the dangers of venturing out on the water alone.”
Crews aboard aircraft from Coast Guard Air Stations Savannah, Georgia, Clearwater and Miami, Florida participated in the four-day search. Crews aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Diamondback, an 87-foot patrol boat homeported in Mayport, Fla., and 45-foot response boats from Coast Guard Station Mayport also searched for the missing boater.
Local volunteers, friends and family of Rodrigues assisted in the search. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Navy also participated in the operation.
The initial press release can be found at the following link: http://d7.uscgnews.com/go/doc/4007/2371770/.
For more information, contact the Coast Guard 7th District Public Affairs Detachment Jacksonville at 305-318-1864.