Coast Guard suspends search for missing boater

57-year-old missing since Sunday afternoon

ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. – The Coast Guard has suspended its search for a missing boater near Atlantic Beach. Officials made the decision late Wednesday night.

The Coast Guard said it has covered more than 6,788 square miles and 129.5 hours searching for Peter Rodrigues.

Meanwhile, the Atlantic Beach community is coming together to help search for a man they say is not just a neighbor but a friend.

Volunteers have been out in their own boats trying to find Rodrigues, while others are finding ways to show they are hopeful he will be home soon.

The Rodrigues family issued a statement to the media on Thursday: "We mourn the apparent loss of our beloved Pete Rodrigues to the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. We would like to thank everyone who joined us on the beaches and by boat and air in our search, including the extensive efforts led by CDR Doug Stark of the U.S. Coast Guard and Lieutenant Steve H. Mullen of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. Although we have not been successful in bringing Pete home, we are still praying for a miracle and we ask the public to please join us in our prayers."

Community members have put yellow ribbons in their yards and all along the street.

"I was just trying to figure out what I could do to make a difference for people to have hope that we find him, and I just decided that I needed to make something," said Jill Hilliard, who put up the ribbons.

Hilliard had a friend help her put the bows on the trees along her street, a street she shares with Rodrigues. Hilliard said every bow has a purpose.

"To try to get the community and the neighbors to come together and just have some kind of hope for him, that he's going to be found," she said. "And that was my thought of making a ribbon would get us all together, and it really has."

The community also came together to help the Coast Guard search for Rodrigues. Hilliard's husband joined Rodrigues' family and other friends searching by boat near Hanna Park, where his boat ran aground Sunday night. 

"It's tough. Today was the second day out there and on the way back in, we were kind of like, 'We're getting close to where they say there's not much hope left,'" Eddie Hilliard said. "But (his son) Danny's a strong kid, and he's going to keep trying, and I think he's going to go back out again tomorrow and keep trying to look."

Rodriques' other son is also helping in the search for his father.

The last communication Rodrigues had with anyone was a series of text messages to his fiancee, saying he was going to repair an antenna on the boat. A tool could still be seen attached to the antenna when the boat (pictured) washed up.

The Coast Guard said some of Rodrigues' friends and family have searched by the shore and even by plane.

"It's not something that we demand at all. It is voluntary from the family and friends, and we certainly appreciate," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Anthony Soto. "And in any case like this, the more help we have, the better it is, the more saturated the area will be, which certainly assists in a case like this."

Rodrigues' family said it is very appreciative of the ribbons and everything the community is doing to help find him.


About the Authors:

Scott is a multi-Emmy Award Winning Anchor and Reporter, who also hosts the “Going Ringside With The Local Station” Podcast. Scott has been a journalist for 25 years, covering stories including six presidential elections, multiple space shuttle launches and dozens of high-profile murder trials.