Coast Guard suspends search after finding man's body

Rescuers were search for other possible boaters

ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. – The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search Tuesday afternoon for any additional people possibly in the water or otherwise in distress off the coast of Atlantic Beach, where a man's body was found near a large debris field Sunday night.

A U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew located the body of 49-year-old Guillermo Gonzalez Losada about 22 miles east of the entrance to the St. Johns River.

"The decision to suspend our search as well as the decisions made throughout our response to this tragic incident have been exceptionally challenging due to the lack of critical information we ordinarily rely on, and our thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Losada's loved ones during this difficult time," said Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville Deputy Commander Russell Holmes. "Unfortunately, many of the questions that arose immediately after we learned of the wreckage remain unanswered."

Guillermo Gonzalez Losada

It remains unknown if additional people were aboard the vessel with Losada or what caused the vessel to break apart.

Coast Guard crews scoured roughly 2,800 square nautical miles and searched for 40 hours.

Search efforts were coordinated by watchstanders at Sector Jacksonville in Atlantic Beach. Coast Guard crews involved in the search were boat crews from Station Mayport; aircrews from Air Stations Savannah, Ga., Clearwater and Miami; the crew of the Atlantic Beach-based 87-foot Coast Guard Cutter Kingfisher; and the crew of the Fort Pierce-based Coast Guard Cutter Cormorant. The Atlantic Beach-based Coast Guard Cutter Maria Bray and the U.S. Navy ship USS Simpson assisted with debris recovery.

Although the search is suspended pending further developments, anyone with information regarding Losada, the vessel or the cause of the incident is urged to contact watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville at 904-564-7511.

The incident remains under investigation.