Boater's Wife Saw Him Fall Overboard, Authorities Say

Rescuers, including a dive team, plan to search Tuesday for a man who fell off his 24-foot boat near Fort De Soto Park and never resurfaced.

The Pinellas County Sheirff's Office disclosed details about the boater, missing since Sunday.

Michael Douglas Rhine, 49, of Pinellas Park fell overboard at about 4:30 p.m. while working on his boat's outboard engine near the Fort De Soto boat ramp. His wife was with him at the time, and told authorities that she never saw him come up. He was not wearing a life vest.

The U.S. Coast Guard, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office and other water rescue crews have searched for hours near Bunces Pass, which is known for its strong current. The search has included a Jayhawk helicopter, sonar equipment and divers.

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