DATE: October 23, 2004 6:33:46 PM EDT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
|
|
Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard Seventh District |
| Press Release |
Date:
Oct. 23, 2004
Contact:
(727) 893-3140/3142 |
|
COAST GUARD SEARCHING FOR TWO OVERDUE FISHERMEN OFF CLEARWATER
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Coast Guard is searching for two fishermen who were due back Friday night from a fishing trip 15 miles off Clearwater Pass in a 21-foot pleasure craft called "Daddy's Girl."
The Coast Guard was notified of the two overdue fishermen, Rodney Post, 36, and Jay French, 42, at 8:00 last night by Post's brother. After an initial investigation, the Coast Guard discovered a note from the fishermen saying they were heading 15 miles offshore and would return home at 5:00 p.m. Friday.
The Coast Guard immediately began searching for the two men and their vessel. A 47-foot rescue boat from U.S. Coast Guard Station Sand Key, Fla., began searching and searched for the two men throughout the night. This morning, the Coast Guard began searching with a HU-25 "Falcon" jet from Air Station Miami, an HH-60 "Jayhawk" helicopter and a C-130 airplane from Air Station Clearwater and the Coast Guard Cutter Marlin. Although the Coast Guard searched throughout the day Saturday, there have been no signs of the whereabouts of the two men or their boat.
The Coast Guard will continue to search throughout the night with an Air Station Clearwater C-130 in an area extending from 12 to 45 miles offshore.
Weather conditions in the search area are favorable, with good visibility, light winds and two feet seas.
Anyone with any information regarding the whereabouts of the missing fishermen is asked to contact the U.S. Coast Guard by calling 727-824-7506.
###
The U.S. Coast Guard is a military, maritime, multi-mission service within the
Department of Homeland Security dedicated to protecting the safety and security of America. |
printer friendly
