LAKE WORTH, Fla. — The U.S. Coast Guard said Friday the search for an overdue vessel between the Bahamas and South Florida has been suspended.
The 29-foot Mako Cuddy Cabin was last known to have departed Bimini Monday heading to Lake Worth Beach but not arriving at the destination.
The Coast Guard said they were alerted Wednesday by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force asking for help locating the boat with reportedly 20 people on board.
The Coast Guard and partner agencies searched approximately 17,000 square miles, roughly double the size of Massachusetts, for about 84 hours.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the missing people,” said Capt. Stephen V. Burdian, Seventh District Chief of Response. “I encourage anyone with information about the people aboard to contact us as soon as possible.”
The following agencies were involved in the search:
- Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater C-130 Hercules aircrew
- Coast Guard Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew
- Coast Guard Cutter Margaret Norvel crew
- Coast Guard Cutter Robert Yered
- Royal Bahamas Defence Force surface units
- Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association air assets
- Patrick Air Force Base air asset
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the people is urged to contact the District Seven Command Center at 305-415-6800.
