Coast Guard halts search for missing paddleboarder off Florida coast

Luciano Mercenari (Photo provided by the U.S. Coast Guard)

MIAMI (WFLA) — The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for a paddleboarder missing off the coast of Florida.

According to the Coast Guard, 29-year-old Luciano Mercenari was reported missing around 9:30 p.m. Monday after paddleboarding in Biscayne Bay.

In response, the USCG dispatched crews both surface and at sea to search for Mercenari and also joined local first responders in the search.

A civilian eventually found Mercenari’s paddleboard and waterproof gear bag four miles off Haulover Inlet on Tuesday morning. The civilian later reported the paddleboard to the Coast Guard after recognizing it in a photo released by the Coast Guard.

Crews searched an area of ​​860 square miles (2,219 square kilometers), the size of Delaware, for 67 hours but were unable to find Mercenari, so the Coast Guard decided to call off the search on Thursday.

“Ceasing an active search and rescue operation is never an easy decision, and it is with heavy hearts that we extend our sincere condolences to Mr. Mercenari’s family and friends,” said Capt. Chris Cederholm, commanding officer of Coast Guard Sector Miami. “We are grateful to our local and state partners for their support in this joint effort.”

If you have any information related to the search, the Coast Guard asks anyone interested to call them at 305-535-4300.