The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for 70-year-old Bert Erwin, who went missing aboard a 37-foot vessel off the coast of Englewood, Florida. The search was suspended on Thursday evening, pending any new information.
Erwin was reported overdue on Wednesday after failing to arrive at his destination, Indian Rocks Beach, following his departure from Rose Marina on Monday. His vessel was later discovered anchored and unoccupied 28 miles off the coast of Englewood.
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Despite extensive search efforts covering 8,462 square miles, an area nearly the size of New Jersey, Erwin remains missing. The Coast Guard expressed condolences to Erwin’s family and friends, emphasizing the difficult decision to suspend the search.
“We offer our deepest condolences to Mr. Erwin’s loved ones,” said Lt. Andrew Grady, search and rescue mission coordinator at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg. “One of the hardest decisions to make during a search is a suspension.”
Multiple agencies, including various Coast Guard stations, air stations, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, participated in the search.
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Anyone with information regarding Erwin’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg command center.
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