Coast Guard Suspends Search For Missing Father And Son, 4 Dogs

MIAMI, FL — The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search Wednesday for a missing father and son and their four dogs.

Eighty-one-year-old Gerald Cook and his 55-year-old son, Peter, have been missing since Feb. 19.

Family members told the Coast Guard in Miami the Cooks were traveling from Panama City to Vero Beach, Florida along the Okeechobee Waterway.

“Suspending a search without a positive outcome is a very difficult decision," Capt. Eric Smith of the Coast Guard explained. "Despite our best efforts, we were unable to locate the vessel and our condolences go out to the families and friends of Gerald and Peter who remain missing.”

Coast Guard officials said air and surface units conducted 56 searches over more than 109,319 square nautical miles.

In addition to the Coast Guard, the search efforts included the U.S. Air Force, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as well as the Civil Air Patrol.

To report a tip, call the Coast Guard District 7 Command Center at 305-415-6800.