Error message

Deprecated function: Array and string offset access syntax with curly braces is deprecated in include_once() (line 14 of /homepages/36/d901120085/htdocs/americanmariners.org/themes/engines/phptemplate/phptemplate.engine).

Coast Guard searching for 3 along eastern Gulf Coast

May 15, 2016

NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard is searching for a three missing boaters, Sunday.

Frank Fersch, 66, Joseph Cavaness, 74, and Sheryl Perkins, 60, were reported missing by family members to Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders, Friday evening. 

The group was piloting a 46-foot sailing vessel, named Eikia, from Fort Meyers, Florida to Dauphin Island, Alabama, and has failed to contact the family since May 6, 2016. The Eikia is described as a white-hulled sailing vessel with white sail, blue canopy and wood trim.

Involved in the search are:

  • Coast Guard Station Panama City 29-foot Response Boat-Small crew
  • Coast Guard Station Dauphin Island 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew
  • Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater HC-130 Hercules aircrew

Anyone with information on the missing boaters is requested to contact Coast Guard Sector Mobile at (251) 441-6211.

Access denied