JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — The Coast Guard and its local partners are saturating a 2,250 square mile area between Mayport and St. Augustine in the search for a missing kayaker, Monday.
Missing is Garth Sangree, 22, a student of the University of North Florida.
Coast Guard crews are searching with the following assets:
- An HC-144 Ocean Sentry fixed-wing aircraft from Coast Guard Air Station Miami
- A 45-foot Response Boat — Medium from Coast Guard Station Mayport
- The 87-foot Coast Guard Cutter Diamondback, homeported at Station Mayport
- An HC-130 Hercules airplane from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater
- An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Savannah, Georgia
Local agencies involved in the search include members of the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, Jacksonville Beach Police Department, Jacksonville Ocean Rescue, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Nassau County Sheriff's Office. Approximately six vessels are exhaustively searching the approximate 2,250 square miles search area, including a Navy vessel, CBP Marine Unit and a St. John's County helicopter.
The Coast Guard continues to issue an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast for mariners to keep a look out for Mr. Sangree.
Mariners and beachgoers are encouraged to keep an eye out for anything that could assist response efforts and anyone with information is asked to contact the Sector Jacksonville command center at 904-564-7500, and select option 0.
For more information contact the Coast Guard 7th District Public Affairs Detachment North at 305-318-1864.