Lost at sea: Coast Guard finds one body during search for missing family of four - TomoNews
- 8 years ago
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA — Search and rescue operations are still underway for a family of four that went missing during a storm at sea.
The Herald-Tribune reports that 45-year-old Florida man Ace Kimberly and his three teenage children: Rebecca, 17, Donny, 15, and Roger, 13, set off from Sarasota at 7 a.m. on Sunday. They intended to sail their 29-foot sailboat to Fort Myers for some repairs, but encountered rough seas near Englewood.
The family called Ace’s brother around 3 p.m. and told him they were attempting to survive through six-foot waves and a thunderstorm. They never arrived at their destination, and were reported missing.
The Florida Coast Guard began a search and rescue operation on Tuesday, dispatching an H-130 Hercules H-130 plane, an MH-60 helicopter, and several vessels.
The helicopter crew eventually found a debris field with items from the boat, including a tarp, four jugs tied together, a pair of shoes, a propane tank, a basketball and six life jackets.
A body with a life vest attached was also recovered. Authorities have not disclosed the identity of the body, but is believed to be one of the family members.
According to Fox, no distress call was received, perhaps due to the fact that the boat did not have a radio.
The Herald-Tribune reports that 45-year-old Florida man Ace Kimberly and his three teenage children: Rebecca, 17, Donny, 15, and Roger, 13, set off from Sarasota at 7 a.m. on Sunday. They intended to sail their 29-foot sailboat to Fort Myers for some repairs, but encountered rough seas near Englewood.
The family called Ace’s brother around 3 p.m. and told him they were attempting to survive through six-foot waves and a thunderstorm. They never arrived at their destination, and were reported missing.
The Florida Coast Guard began a search and rescue operation on Tuesday, dispatching an H-130 Hercules H-130 plane, an MH-60 helicopter, and several vessels.
The helicopter crew eventually found a debris field with items from the boat, including a tarp, four jugs tied together, a pair of shoes, a propane tank, a basketball and six life jackets.
A body with a life vest attached was also recovered. Authorities have not disclosed the identity of the body, but is believed to be one of the family members.
According to Fox, no distress call was received, perhaps due to the fact that the boat did not have a radio.