Coast Guard suspends search for 4 missing boaters in Venice

The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended a search for four missing boaters last seen Saturday morning in Venice.

In a post on X, officials said the search was called off “pending new information.”

The boat is a 25-foot center console and was last reported about 30 miles off Venice.

The men on the boat range in age from 35 to 54, the Coast Guard said.

Authorities said the men left the Marina Park boat ramp at about 8 a.m., Saturday, and were supposed to return that night. Their vehicle and boat trailer were still at the park on Sunday.

Previous updates showed agencies involved in the search with the Venice Police Department include the U.S. Coast Guard, FWC, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, Sarasota Police Department, Venice Fire Rescue, Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, Lee County Sheriff’s Office and Sea Tow Venice. In addition to vessels, the Coast Guard and SCSO have also provided searches by air.

Working together, these agencies have already searched over 4,600 square miles of surface in the Gulf, and are going out up to 80 nautical miles offshore. The search for the four men spans from Sarasota County south, pushing into Collier County.

Boaters out on the water were asked to report any information that may be relevant to this case to VPD Detective Courtney Zak at 941-486-2444 or czak@venicefl.gov; or use radio Channel 16 VHF.