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Coast Guard suspends search for missing paddleboarder near Miami > News from the US Coast Guard > Press releases

Coast Guard suspends search for missing paddleboarder near Miami > News from the US Coast Guard > Press releases

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MIAMI – The Coast Guard suspended the search for a missing paddleboarder near Miami on Thursday pending new information.

29-year-old Luciano Mercenari is missing. He was reported overdue at the Coast Guard Sector Command Center in Miami on Monday evening around 9:30 p.m.

Coast Guard Sector Watchers in Miami received a report that Mercenari went paddleboarding near his residence in Biscayne Bay and did not return at sunset as expected. He was reportedly wearing a white long-sleeved shirt and gray shorts.

Coast Guard Sector Miami sent out an urgent maritime information broadcast and dispatched surface and air crews to conduct searches along with state and local partner agencies. Additionally, the Coast Guard released a photo of Mercenari and his paddleboard to alert the public and media to be on the lookout and to contact the Coast Guard with any information.

A Good Samaritan found the paddleboard and a waterproof bag about 4 miles from Haulover Inlet on Tuesday morning and reported their findings to the Coast Guard on Tuesday evening after recognizing the paddleboard found was related to this case.

“Suspending an active search and rescue operation is never an easy decision, and so it is with heavy hearts that we offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Mercenari,” said Capt. Chris Cederholm, commander of Coast Guard Sector Miami. “We are grateful to our local and state partners for their assistance in this joint effort.”

Rescue teams searched about 2,219 square miles, an area the size of the state of Delaware, and spent about 67 hours gathering equipment.

The weather conditions on site during the search were: wind force 10 to 20 knots and calm seas.

Search and rescue crews involved in the efforts included:

  • Coast Guard Air Base Miami

  • Miami Beach Coast Guard Station

  • Fort Lauderdale Coast Guard Station

  • Coastguard cutter Paul Clark (WPC 1106)

  • Coastguard cutter Flying Fish (WPB 87346)

  • Coast Guard Investigation Service

  • Miami-Dade Fire Department

  • Miami-Dade Police Department

  • Key Biscayne Police Department

  • Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Anyone with new information, call Coast Guard Sector Miami: 305-535-4300.

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