CORRECTION: Coast Guard suspends search for missing diver near Anclote Key

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard 7th District PA Detachment Tampa Bay Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Tampa Bay 305-965-4672 PA Detachment Tampa Bay online newsroom

Coast Guard suspends search for missing diver near Anclote Key

 

Editor's Note: Previous release had incorrect age in body.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— The Coast Guard is suspending the search for a missing diver seven miles offshore of Anclote Key, Florida Monday.

Missing is 42-year-old Eddie Brunt III.

Coast Guard crews searched approximately 43 hours covering 1,685 square miles, an area roughly the size of Rhode Island.

Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders were notified at 1:05 p.m., Saturday by the diving friends of Brunt that he had not resurfaced. Upon notification, Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders deployed Coast Guard crews to search the area with the help of  Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

"One of the toughest parts of the job is suspending search and rescue efforts, and we do not make this decision lightly," said Capt. Matt Thompson, commanding officer of Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg. "It is only after the Coast Guard, FWC, and local partner agencies saturated every possible area that we must make this call. Our thoughts are with Mr. Brunt's family and friends at this difficult time."

Involved in the search were:

- Coast Guard Station Sand Key 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boat crew

- The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Crocodile (WPB-87369)

- The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Pelican (WPB-87327)

-  Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater HC-130 and MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrews

- FWC marine crews 

- The fishing vessel Fat Cat with four divers

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-USCG-