JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Coast Guard has suspended its search for three people which began after a vessel capsized along the St. Johns River on Friday, according to the agency.
In a release, Coast Guard officials said that the vessel they were on capsized near Goat Island, prompting the search for survivors.
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“Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville command center watchstanders received a report via VHF-FM Channel 16 at approximately 7 p.m. Friday, of an overturned 18-foot vessel with four people on top of the vessel and an additional four people possibly underneath the vessel,” the release reads. “No one aboard the vessel was reportedly wearing lifejackets.”
The release states that Coast Guard crews and first responders were dispatched to help with the wreck. Four people on top of the vessel were rescued, and one person was recovered from the water unresponsive.
However, Coast Guard officials added that the other three people reported as being beneath the vessel — an adult and two children — weren’t found, sparking a search for their whereabouts.
Before 7 p.m. Saturday, the Coast Guard announced it suspended the search pending the development of new information. Crews searched by air and sea for around 17 hours, covering more than 270 square miles, the Coast Guard said in a statement.
Anyone with information that could help is asked to contact the Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville at (904) 714-7558.
No additional information has been provided at this time, including what caused the vessel to capsize.
