SAN FRANCISCO - The Coast Guard suspended a search shortly before 11:45 a.m., Sunday for an 18-year-old male who went missing Saturday afternoon in the water near Asilomar Beach in Pacific Grove.
At approximately 5 p.m., Saturday, Coast Guard Station Monterey received a report of two distressed swimmers who were swept out by a heavy rip current. A surfer on scene assisted the younger brother back to shore, but when he returned for the second distressed swimmer, he was no longer visible.
Station Monterey launched a 47-foot Motor Lifeboat crew and Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco launched an MH-65 helicopter crew to search for the missing person. The Coast Guard continued its search through the night and into the morning with multiple helicopter flights and surface assets. Monterey Fire Department and California State Park Lifeguards also responded, established a command post and assisted with rescue boat crews searching along the shoreline.
"The decision to suspend a search-and-rescue case is one of the hardest parts of my job," said Capt. Greg Stump, commander, Coast Guard Sector San Francisco. "After looking at search effort to date by ourselves and local responders, we have suspended our active search. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the missing, who are trying to cope with this tragedy."