Coast Guard suspends search after 2 surfers go missing in California
The U.S. Coast Guard said Saturday morning that it had suspended searching for two surfers who were reported missing Friday evening near the Santa Cruz Lighthouse.
The Coast Guard and its partner agencies searched for more than 10 hours across roughly 90 miles before halting the search around 8 a.m. Saturday, according to a news release.
“The decision to suspend a search weighs heavily on all crews involved,” said Coast Guard spokesperson Michael Zapawa in a statement. “That decision is based on careful evaluation of all available information, including extensive search efforts, environmental conditions, and survivability assessments.”
The release noted that the Coast Guard responded Friday evening after receiving a report that two surfers were yelling for help about 200 yards offshore near the Santa Cruz Lighthouse.
The Santa Cruz Fire Department and Santa Cruz Police Department in social media posts Saturday morning said they assisted in the search, including the use of a Fire Department ladder truck.
The Coast Guard in an initial social media post said the two missing persons were divers but later corrected its statements to say both were searchers.
The search has been called off pending further developments, the Coast Guard said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Coast Guard Sector San Francisco’s command center at 415-399-7399.
