Coast Guard Suspends Search For Missing 34 People Off FL Coast

MIAMI, FL — The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended the search for the remaining 34 people missing at sea after their boat capsized over the weekend. The search ended around 6 p.m. Thursday.

“Unfortunately, we have come to the most difficult time in any search and rescue case and that is the point at which we decide when to cease actively searching,” Capt. Jo-Ann Burdian, Coast Guard Sector Miami commander, said in a news release.

“After careful consideration of all available information including weather conditions, number of people that went in the water without life jackets, time elapsed since the date of the accident, and an unrelenting search in an area bigger than Massachusetts, it’s with a heavy heart that I have decided to suspend the search," she continued.

Around 8 a.m. Tuesday, a commercial mariner headed to Jacksonville notified the U.S. Coast Guard's Sector Miami Command Center that he had rescued a man from a capsized 25-foot vessel approximately 45 miles east of Fort Pierce Inlet, officials said.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, the survivor was brought to a local hospital and treated for symptoms of dehydration and sun exposure. He was ultimately transferred to Homeland Security Investigations Special Agents for further investigation.

“On Tuesday, Jan. 25, the United States Coast Guard contacted HSI to advise they had initiated a search and rescue operation on a suspected smuggling venture involving the loss of life,” said Anthony Salisbury, HSI in Miami special agent in charge. “HSI immediately responded and opened a parallel criminal investigation while the search and rescue mission was ongoing. As of right now this is still an ongoing investigation being pursued by HSI and its federal, state, local and foreign partners.”

Authorities said the survivor reported that he left Bimini, Bahamas with 39 other people Saturday night and encountered severe weather, causing the vessel to capsize Sunday morning. The survivor also reported that no one in the group was wearing a life jacket.

Coast Guard rescue crews recovered five bodies during the two-day search and rescue operation.

The search began around 8:20 a.m. on Tuesday and covered more than 10,500 square miles.

SEE ALSO:

• 1 Body Recovered, 38 Missing After Boat Capsizes Off FL Coast