News Release

U.S. Coast Guard 7th District PA Detachment Tampa Bay Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Tampa Bay 305-607-6347 PA Detachment Tampa Bay online newsroom

Coast Guard ends search for missing mariner off Venice

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Coast Guard ended their search for a 69-year-old man who was reported missing 46 miles offshore Venice, Florida,Wednesday.

A Coast Guard Station Cortez 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boatcrew recovered Ricky Baker after searching approximately 100 square miles for 14 hours.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg where notified by a dock manager in Madeira Beach at 9 p.m., Tuesday,  reporting a satellite phone call from a crew member aboard the fishing vessel High Voltage reporting Mr. Baker was believed to have fallen overboard around 8 p.m.

 "Our condolences go to Mr. Baker's family and friends," said Cmdr. Shawn Lansing, deputy commander for Sector St. Petersburg. "We are relieved to provide some closure to his loved ones."

 Additional Coast Guard search assets include:

• Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter
• Coast Guard Cutter Diamondback
• Coast Guard Cutter Shrike

The cause of the incident is under investigation. 

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-USCG-