Coast Guard Suspends Search for Missing Boater Off Pinellas County Coast
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CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Coast Guard has suspended its search for a missing 70-year-old boater who was planning to sail toward Indian Rocks Beach. Bert Erwin, 70, had been last seen leaving Rose Marina on Marco Island, and the Coast Guard reported he was heading for the Pinellas County coast. At 10 p. m.
on Thursday, the Coast Guard suspended its search off the coast of Englewood. Authorities had found Erwin's 37-foot vessel with no one aboard 28 miles off the coast of Englewood. "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 suspension. " Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and launched crews from several stations after a good Samaritan had contacted them on Wednesday morning reporting that Erwin was overdue to reach Indian Rocks Beach.