UPDATE – 8:14 p.m. Wednesday
VERO BEACH — The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for possible missing boaters from a 23-foot boat that washed ashore early Wednesday morning.
According to Petty Officer Barry Bena, Coast Guard officials chose to call off the active search for a number of reasons. Those reasons included the fact that they were unable to turn up anything given the large area they had searched and that they had no confirmation anyone had been on board.
The Coast Guard is still trying to confirm reports that three fishermen were seen onboard prior to running aground.
Petty Officer Bena said that there have been no reports of missing people filed with law enforcement.
If they receive confirmation that people were aboard the boat or that a boater has been reported missing, the Coast Guard could renew its search, according to Petty Officer Bena.
The US Coast Guard received the call around 3:30 a.m. that a boat had run aground. The agency launched an immediate search of the waters off southern Indian River County.
One Coast Guard marine unit was deployed from Fort Pierce and two helicopters from Miami’s Coast Guard unit were used in the search.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has also assisted in the search.
If you have any information regarding the boat or its possible occupants, you are asked to contact the US Coast Guard by calling (305) 535-4472.
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