KEY WEST, Fla. — The Coast Guard continues its search for the missing jet skier Derek King that was reported missing Monday.
Coast Guard Sector Key West search-and-rescue coordinators received a report Monday evening that King stole a jet ski from Island Watersports at the Westin Key West Resort and Marina where he worked as a mechanic. A vessel 10 miles southwest of Key West reported seeing a person on a jet ski matching King’s description shortly thereafter. King was reported to be wearing black clothes and took a blue colored jet ski. Island Watersports filed a stolen vessel report with the Key West Police.
The Coast Guard responded immediately and has searched a 2,200-square-mile area, roughly the size of Delaware, southwest of Key West throughout Monday night and still continues Wednesday evening.
Units involved with the search include:
- A Coast Guard Station Key West boatcrew
- Two HC-130 Hercules aircrews from Air Station Clearwater, Fla.
- An HU-25 Falcon jet aircrew from Air Station Miami
- An HH-60 Seahawk helicopter aircrew from Naval Air Station Key West
- A Coast Guard Auxiliary aircrew from the Florida Keys
Coast Guard continues the to search and will have a HH-65 Dolphin aircrew from Air Station Miami and another HC-130 Hercules aircrew from Air Station Clearwater searching throughout Wednesday night.
Anyone with information on Derek King’s whereabouts is requested to call the Coast Guard at 305-295-9700.
