PHOTO AVAILABLE: Coast Guard suspends search for man near Melbourne Beach

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 05/25/2022 10:05 AM EDT

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News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 7th District PA Detachment Jacksonville
Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment Jacksonville
Office: 904-714-7606/7607
After Hours: 786-393-4138
PA Detachment Jacksonville online newsroom

Coast Guard suspends search for man near Melbourne beach

 

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Coast Guard suspended the search, Sunday, for a missing man after it was discovered his 29-foot boat washed ashore, Thursday, on Melbourne Beach.

Missing is 68-year-old Dale Allan Hossfield from Vero Beach. 

The Coast Guard searched approximately 4, 264 square miles, roughly the size of Connecticut, and searched for a total of 132 hours.

It was reported Hossfield left from Fort Pierce Inlet at approximately 2 p.m., Wednesday. 

"We have made the difficult decision to suspend the search for Dale Hossfield," said Lt. Cmdr. Daniel Delgado, Coast Guard Sector Miami search and rescue coordinator. "We extend our deepest condolences to Dale's family and friends during this difficult time."

Coast Guard Sector Miami watchstanders received a report Wednesday that a 29-foot boat had washed ashore on Melbourne Beach with the engines still running. Watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast over VHF-FM Channel 16 notifying all mariners to keep a lookout for Hossfield and directed the launch of Coast Guard air and surface assets to begin searching for Hossfield.

Coast Guard assets involved in the search:

  • Air Station Miami MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew
  • Station Fort Pierce 45-foot Response Boat—Medium boat crew
  • Station Port Canaveral 45-foot Response Boat—Medium boat crew
  • Coast Guard Cutter Manowar (WPB-87330) boat crew
  • Coast Guard Cutter Ibis (WPB-87338) boat crew
  • Coast Guard Cutter Skipjack (WPB-87353) boat crew
  • Coast Guard Auxilary Saber-14 aircrew 

Also searching were Florida Fish and Wildlife and Brevard County Sheriff's Office personnel.

If you have any information on the whereabouts of Dale Allan Hossfield, please contact Coast Guard Sector Miami command center at 305-535-4472.

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-USCG-