Coast Guard suspends search for 56-year-old man near Cudjoe Key

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard 7th District Southeast Contact: 7th District Public Affairs Office: 305-415-6683 After Hours: 786-367-7649 7th District online newsroom

 

Coast Guard suspends search for 56-year-old man near Cudjoe Key

 

MIAMI — The Coast Guard suspended its search for a missing 56-year-old man near Cudjoe, Friday.

 

Missing is Lance Hartkopp, who departed Wednesday in his 20-foot Cuddy Cabin vessel from Blimp Road Boat Ramp in Cudjoe Key. 

 

"The decision to suspend a search is never an easy one as our hope is to be able to reunite people with their family and friends," said Cmdr. Blanca Rosas, search and rescue mission coordinator with Coast Guard Sector Key West . “We would like to extend our gratitude to our partner agencies with the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the U.S. Navy and Monroe County Sheriff's Office for their help in searching."

Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders received a notification from a concerned family member Wednesday stating Hartkopp departed from Cudjoe Key at the Blimp Road Boat Ramp and did not return when expected.  

Crews from Coast Guard Air Stations Clearwater and Miami, along with a U.S. Navy helicopter crew and FWC marine units searched for nearly 36 hours covering an area of more than 11,292 square miles, which is an area larger than the state of Maryland.

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-USCG-