ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. — The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its active search at 4:23 p.m. Tuesday for any additional people possibly in the water or otherwise in distress off the coast of Atlantic Beach.
A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew located the body of Guillermo Gonzalez Losada, 49, near a large debris field Sunday about 22 miles east of the entrance to the St. Johns River.
“The decision to suspend our search as well as the decisions made throughout our response to this tragic incident have been exceptionally challenging due to the lack of critical information we ordinarily rely on, and our thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Losada’s loved ones during this difficult time,” said Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville Deputy Commander, Cmdr. Russell Holmes. “Unfortunately, many of the questions that arose immediately after we learned of the wreckage remain unanswered.”
It remains unknown if additional people were aboard the vessel with Losada or what caused the vessel to break apart.
Coast Guard crews scoured roughly 2,800 square nautical miles and actively searched for 40 hours.
Search efforts were coordinated by watchstanders at Sector Jacksonville in Atlantic Beach, Fla. Coast Guard crews involved in the search were: boatcrews from Coast Guard Station Mayport, Fla; aircrews from Coast Guard Air Stations Savannah, Ga., Clearwater, Fla., and Miami; the crew of the Atlantic Beach-based 87-foot Coast Guard Cutter Kingfisher; and the crew of the Fort Pierce, Fla., based Coast Guard Cutter Cormorant. The Atlantic Beach-based Coast Guard Cutter Maria Bray and the U.S. Navy ship USS Simpson assisted with debris recovery.
Although the active search is suspended pending further developments, anyone with information regarding Losada, the vessel or the cause of the incident is urged to contact watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville at (904) 564-7511.
The incident remains under investigation.
