USCG Search For Boater Missing 50 miles South St Marks, Florida

 

The Coast Guard is searching for a missing boater 50-miles south of St. Marks, Florida, Sunday.

Missing is George Taylor, 60, from Tallahassee, Florida, who was reportedly sailing his 27-foot Catalina sailboat from St. Marks to Carrabelle Florida.

A friend of Taylor’s called Coast Guard Sector Mobile to report him overdue at 4.p.m.Saturday.

The caller’s last contact with Taylor was Thursday morning via social media; he reportedly stated his intentions were to be in Carrabelle Friday evening.

Sector Mobile issued an urgent marine information broadcast, dispatched a MH-60 Dolphin Helicopter and a C-130 Hercules Fixed Wing Aircraft from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, as well as a 45-foot Response Boat - Medium from Coast Guard Station Panama City, Saturday at 5 p.m.

The crew of the C-130 located a sailing vessel that matched the description about 50-miles south of St. Marks, and the small boat crew from Panama City was diverted to investigate Sunday at 7a.m.

The crew arrived and confirmed that it was George Taylor’s vessel, and found Taylor’s dog and belongings aboard.

The Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, who have added additional surface and air assets, are continuing the search for Taylor.