Coast Guard officially suspends search for 4 missing boaters

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missing boaters

The U.S. Coast Guard has officially suspended the search for the four missing boaters as of 8 p.m. Monday.

The men’s relatives have been notified, according to the Venice Police Department.

However, the search could begin again if new evidence comes out.

The missing boaters were identified as Angel Hernandez Munoz, 38, of North Port; Ruben Mora Sr., 54, of Port Charlotte; Julio Cesar Cordero Briones, 37, of North Port; and Vargas Parra, 35, of North Port.

Mora’s son was at the boat ramp Monday afternoon.

“This was unexpected. I adore both my parents, and just the thought of not having him here and not knowing where he’s at — if he’s cold, if he’s alone, if he’s alive — there’s a lot to bear. Just trying to be hopeful, as hopeful as possible,” said a distraught Ruben Mora, Jr.

He also shared photos of his father with WINK News reporter Jolena Esperto.

missing men
CREDIT: Ruben Mora Jr.

Exactly one week before he went missing, he laid his youngest son, Roy Mora, to rest.

“It’s overwhelming. It’s a lot. Our family has been hit pretty hard, and we’ve been tested, and we’re trying to be here for each other, be strong for each other,” Mora Jr. said.

The men took out the boat at approximately 8 a.m. Saturday, and it is a 1995 23-foot white SportCraft with registration FL9937HC.  

During a press conference Monday, Venice Police said they were dispatched to the marina at Venice Inlet on Sunday morning around 8 a.m. when the men did not return from their fishing trip.

The men’s truck and boat trailer were still in the parking lot.

missing boaters

Several agencies took part in the search for the missing boaters. They include the following:

  • U.S. Coast Guard
  • Manatee Sheriff’s Office
  • Sarasota Sheriff’s Office
  • Sarasota Police Department
  • Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office
  • Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
  • Venice Fire and Rescue
  • Lee County Sheriff’s Office
  • Sea Tow of Venice
missing boaters

“As a cold front pushed through on Saturday, we saw increased winds and seas, persisting through Sunday,” explained the Weather Authority Meteorologist Lauren Kreidler. “Sea fog developed off the coast of Southwest Florida on Saturday afternoon before lifting in the early evening hours.”

The search area for the missing boaters expanded and ran from Longboat Pass in Manatee County south down to Collier County.

“The Coast Guard proceeded to shift their search to the south due to the change in wind direction as the front continued to push its way to the south,” added Kreidler.

The Coast Guard handled 10 miles offshore to 80 nautical miles offshore. The other agencies assisted from the shoreline to 10 miles out. The agencies are utilizing boats, planes and helicopters.

Boaters out on the water are asked to stay vigilant and report anything relevant to Venice Police Detective Courtney Zak at 941-486-2444 or czak@venicefl.gov. Boaters can also use radio Channel 16 VHF.

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