YANKEETOWN, Fla. – The Coast Guard concluded their search efforts Saturday after locating four missing boaters safe about 30-west of Crystal River, Fla., around 5:45 p.m.
A family member contacted search-and-rescue watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, Fla., around 2 a.m. Saturday to report Kevin Hudson, 40, and three friends had failed to return from their boat trip as scheduled.
The four boaters departed in a 24-foot Wellcraft boat at 7 a.m., Friday from the End of 40 boat ramp in Crystal River but suffered from engine trouble and were unable to return on time.
Assisting with the 900-square mile search were:
- Two rescue-boat crews from Coast Guard Station Yankeetown.
- The crews of the Coast Guard Cutters Alligator and Hawk, 87-foot patrol boats homeported in St. Petersburg, Fla.
- A Coast Guard C-130 Hercules fixed-wing aircraft from Air Station Clearwater, Fla. .
All four boaters were reported to be in good condition and the vessel was towed to End of 40 boat ramp.
