Post by Amityville Rock on Dec 16, 2003 19:50:15 GMT -5
Coast Guard suspends search for missing boaters June 24th, 2003 Posted 10-29-2003 01:51
Release #: 06-11
Release date: June 24, 2003
Contact: Public Affair
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U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
SEVENTH COAST GUARD DISTRICT
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Coast Guard suspends search for missing boaters
After an extensive four-day search by the Coast Guard, Navy and Air Force covering an area the size of the state of South Carolina, the Coast Guard suspended the search at 6:17 p.m. Monday for two boaters missing since Wednesday.
Frank and Romina Leone of West Palm Beach, Fla., left the Lantana boat ramp in Boynton Beach Inlet, Fla., Wednesday morning aboard a 16-foot boat and were to return that day, but never did according to the source who reported them missing to the Coast Guard midnight Thursday.
The Coast Guard, Navy and Air Force combined, flew 17 flights and got a cutter underway searching for the couple, covering an area of more than 35,700 square miles, stretching from Miami to Savanna, Ga.
Searching began 2:30 a.m. Friday by a C-130 airplane from Air Station Clearwater, Fla., an HU-25 Falcon jet from Air Station Miami combined to fly seven searches. The Coast Guard Cutter Shrike, an 87-foot cutter from Cape Canaveral, Fla., was also heavily involved in the search.
Saturday, two C-130 airplanes from Clearwater, an HU-25 Falcon jet from Miami, a Navy P-3 airplane from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., and an Air Force C-130 airplane from Hurlburt Field Air Force Base, Fla., flew five flights and searched between Cape Canaveral and Jacksonville, Fla., for the couple.
Sunday, a C-130 from Air Station Elizabeth City, S.C., and an HU-25 Falcon jet flew four flights and searched an area between Jacksonville and Savannah but were not able to locate the Leones.
Monday, another C-130 airplane from Air Station Elizabeth City flew the final search, but still found no trace of the couple.
"We are saddened by the outcome of the search," said Capt. Everett Rollins, chief of search and rescue for the Seventh Coast Guard District. "It is difficult for the Coast Guard to suspend cases with people still missing, however, we have searched vigorously. If there was any chance of finding the Leones, we would have," Rollins added.
"All boaters should be aware of and have onboard key safety gear. Having a VHF radio, flares, smoke signals and other safety and distress equipment increases the chance boaters in distress will be found. Filing a float plan with a family member, friend or marina is crucial to the outcome of our searches. The sooner we know someone is missing and what area they are in, the sooner we can find them," said Rollins.
-uscg-
Release #: 06-11
Release date: June 24, 2003
Contact: Public Affair
====================================================================
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
SEVENTH COAST GUARD DISTRICT
====================================================================
Coast Guard suspends search for missing boaters
After an extensive four-day search by the Coast Guard, Navy and Air Force covering an area the size of the state of South Carolina, the Coast Guard suspended the search at 6:17 p.m. Monday for two boaters missing since Wednesday.
Frank and Romina Leone of West Palm Beach, Fla., left the Lantana boat ramp in Boynton Beach Inlet, Fla., Wednesday morning aboard a 16-foot boat and were to return that day, but never did according to the source who reported them missing to the Coast Guard midnight Thursday.
The Coast Guard, Navy and Air Force combined, flew 17 flights and got a cutter underway searching for the couple, covering an area of more than 35,700 square miles, stretching from Miami to Savanna, Ga.
Searching began 2:30 a.m. Friday by a C-130 airplane from Air Station Clearwater, Fla., an HU-25 Falcon jet from Air Station Miami combined to fly seven searches. The Coast Guard Cutter Shrike, an 87-foot cutter from Cape Canaveral, Fla., was also heavily involved in the search.
Saturday, two C-130 airplanes from Clearwater, an HU-25 Falcon jet from Miami, a Navy P-3 airplane from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., and an Air Force C-130 airplane from Hurlburt Field Air Force Base, Fla., flew five flights and searched between Cape Canaveral and Jacksonville, Fla., for the couple.
Sunday, a C-130 from Air Station Elizabeth City, S.C., and an HU-25 Falcon jet flew four flights and searched an area between Jacksonville and Savannah but were not able to locate the Leones.
Monday, another C-130 airplane from Air Station Elizabeth City flew the final search, but still found no trace of the couple.
"We are saddened by the outcome of the search," said Capt. Everett Rollins, chief of search and rescue for the Seventh Coast Guard District. "It is difficult for the Coast Guard to suspend cases with people still missing, however, we have searched vigorously. If there was any chance of finding the Leones, we would have," Rollins added.
"All boaters should be aware of and have onboard key safety gear. Having a VHF radio, flares, smoke signals and other safety and distress equipment increases the chance boaters in distress will be found. Filing a float plan with a family member, friend or marina is crucial to the outcome of our searches. The sooner we know someone is missing and what area they are in, the sooner we can find them," said Rollins.
-uscg-