Coast Guard suspends search for boater off Mead Point

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 11/19/2017 05:44 PM EST

united states coast guard 

News Release  

Nov. 19, 2017
U.S. Coast Guard 7th District PA Detachment Tampa Bay
Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Tampa Bay
305-965-4672

Coast Guard suspends search for boater off Mead Point

CORTEZ, Fla. — The Coast Guard suspended their search Sunday at 5:37 p.m. for a boater missing 5 miles north west Mead Point since Friday.

At approximately 6:15 p.m. Friday, watchstanders from Sector St. Petersburg received a report from the wife of Fraser Horne, 63, from Calgary, Canada and resident of Cortez during the winter, stating her husband was overdue.

Search crews completed 32 search patterns covering approximately 2,192 square miles over a 46 hour period. Coast Guard assets involved in the search included:

  • Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk rescue helicopter;
  • Coast Guard Station Cortez and St. Petersburg boatcrews;
  • A Coast Guard Auxiliary aircrews;
  • Coast Guard Cutter Pelican, an 87-foot Coastal Patrol Boat from Sector St. Petersburg.   

Crewmembers from Holmes Beach Police Department, Manatee County Sheriff's office, Pinellas County Marine Unit, Eckerd College Search, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission also assisted in the search.

“Suspending a search is the most difficult decision I have to make and our thoughts and prayers go out to Horne’s family and friends,” said Capt. Holly Najarian, Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg commander.  “Despite our best efforts, we were unable to reunite Fraser with his family.” 

The incident is currently under investigation.

“Toula, our Golden retriever is at home in good health and I would like to thank the good Samaritans who found her Friday night,” said Michele Horne, Fraser’s wife. “I also would like to thank the Coast Guard and the many other rescue agencies who searched for Fraser. This is an emotionally difficult time and we ask everyone to respect our family and friends privacy while we grieve for Fraser.”

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-USCG-