Coast Guard searching for missing swimmer near Indian Rocks Beach, Florida

The Coast Guard Cutter Diamondback approaches Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville in Atlantic Beach, Fla., the cutter's new homeport, Thursday, June 13, 2013. The Diamondback relocated from Miami and will conduct search and rescue, law enforcement, marine environmental protection and various other missions for Sectors Jacksonville and Charleston, S.C. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Lauren Jorgensen)LARGO, Fla. — The Coast Guard and partner agencies search for a missing 53-year-old swimmer 10-miles west of Indian Rocks Beach, Saturday.

Missing is Michael Cowles, a 53-year-old male from Tampa Bay, Florida.

At noon Saturday, watchstanders from Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, Florida, received a call via VHF-FM marine band radio channel 16 reporting Cowles jumped into the water to cool off, but did not surface. He was last scene wearing a yellow shirt and denim shorts.

A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Sand Key, the crew aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Diamondback, an 87-foot Coastal Patrol Boat and an MH-60 Jayhawk aircrew from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Florida, are conducting the search.

Search and rescue crews from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Tampa Fire Rescue are also assisting.

The Coast Guard asks the public to keep a sharp lookout and contact Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg at (727) 824-7506 with any information regarding the whereabouts of Cowles.


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