YANKEETOWN, Fla.— The Coast Guard is searching for a missing boater aboard a 23-foot boat near Cedar Key, Florida, after rescuing two men from the boat Saturday.
Missing is a 54-year-old man from Elders Bird, Maryland. Rescued was Garrick Valdes, 50, from Locust Grove, Virginia, and Bruce Smith from Alachua, Florida.
At 10:05 p.m., Friday, watchstanders from Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, Florida, received a report stating the three men had left Alachua at 5:30 a.m. via truck and trailer and never returned.
At 3 a.m. officers from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirmed the truck and trailer were at the Cedar Key boat ramp.
An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter rescue aircrew from Air Station Clearwater, Florida, and a 27-foot Utility Boat-Medium from Station Yankeetown, Florida, were launched to commence the search.
At 7:25 a.m. the Jayhawk rescue crew located Valdes and Smith aboard their capsized boat six miles south of Sea Horse Key, Florida. The men were hoisted and transported to EMS at Cedar Key airport.
Coast Guard crews continue to search for the missing man, who was reported to be wearing a life jacket.
FWC and Cedar Key Fire and Rescue are aiding in the search.
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