Search Resumes for Boater Missing Near Fort De Soto Park

(EDITOR'S NOTE: The article was updated at 8:40 a.m., Monday, April 8.)

An air and sea search for a 49-year-old missing boater resumed at dawn Monday off the coast of Fort De Soto Park, according to the U.S. Coast Guard and the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

Rescuers are searching for Michael Douglas Rhine of Pinellas Park who apparently fell off his 24-foot recreational boat Sunday afternoon and did not resurface. He was wearing red shorts, without a shirt or life jacket.

A search was launched late Sunday afternoon but was called off at about 11 p.m., due to fog and lack of visibility.

According to a news release from the U.S. Coast Guard: "A good Samaritan contacted Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg at 4:40 p.m., via VHF-FM  Channel 16, reporting he witnessed the man fall overboard while working on his engine. The man never resurfaced."

Aiding in the search:

• A 25-foot Response Boat-Small boat crew from Coast Guard Station St. Petersburg
• MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter air crew from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater
• Eckerd College Search and Rescue
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
• Pinellas County Fire and Rescue

Anyone with information is asked to contact watchstanders at Sector St. Petersburg at 727-824-7506.