Coast Guard, agency partners searching for 71-year-old man 30 miles southwest Crystal River

CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla. — The Coast Guard continues to search Thursday for a 71-year-old man 30 miles southwest Crystal River.

Missing is a man from Crystal River.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg command center received a 911 relay at 10:20 p.m. Wednesday from Bishop’s wife stating he was overdue. She stated he departed Wednesday at 10 a.m from the Fort Island Trail Park aboard his 23-foot fishing boat. He was to return before sunset and was wearing a tee shirt and khaki shorts.

Watchstanders issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast, launched a 27-foot Utility Boat-Medium (UT-M) boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Yankeetown, a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium (RB-M) boatcrew from Station Sand Key and an HC-130 Hercules airplane crew from Air Station Clearwater.

The Hercules aircrew spotted Bishop’s boat 15 miles south of Crystal River Thursday about 1 a.m. and the RB-M boatcrew confirmed it was unmanned and adrift.

Search crews are saturating a 1,250 square mile area west of Crystal River in search of Bishop. Partner agency personnel from Citrus County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are assisting with the search.

The Coast Guard urges all boaters to file a float plan with someone on land before venturing out on the water. Please download the Coast Guard Boating Safety APP for many safety tips and tools.

For more breaking news follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

-USCG-

Coast Guard airdrops supplies to disabled cargo ship 1380 miles off Bermuda

A U.S. Coast Guard aircrew aboard am HC-130 Hercules airplane from Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, airdrops one weeks worth of food to the disabled cargo ship, Alta, approximately 1380 miles southeast of Bermuda, Oct. 2, 2018. The Alta became disabled while in transit from Greece to Haiti.
(U.S. Coast Guard photo by Air Station Elizabeth City)

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard airdropped a large supply of MREs to a disabled cargo ship approximately 1380 miles southeast of Bermuda, Tuesday, and continues to monitor the situation.

The Coast Guard was notified Sunday morning that the 250-foot Tanzanian-flagged cargo ship, Alta, with 10 people onboard, became disabled while transiting from Greece to Haiti, and was unable to make repairs. The crew reported that they had enough food for two days and water for 15 days, and that there were no injuries or immediate medical concerns.

The Coast Guard has been maintaining regular communications with the vessel and utilizing the Automated Mutual-assistance Vessel Rescue System to find nearby vessels that may be able to assist.

An aircrew aboard an HC-130 Hercules airplane from Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, was able to airdrop enough food for one week to the crew Tuesday afternoon, which was retrieved by Alta’s crewmembers. The crew was reported to be in high spirits.

The ship owner has contracted a commercial tug to tow the vessel to Saint Maarten, which is expected to arrive at the Alta’s location next week.

The Coast Guard continues to monitor the Alta and coordinate rescue efforts.

-USCG-

Coast Guard airplanes, helicopters fly out of potential Florence impact area in Elizabeth City, NC

Coast Guardsmen at Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, move air assets out of the area of potential impact of Hurricane Florence, Sept. 12, 2018. The Coast Guard is strategically moving assets to protect them from the storm’s impact, while ensuring they are in an optimal position for the response. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Auxiliarist Trey Clifton)

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. — U.S. Coast Guard personnel at Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina, move air assets out of the area of potential impact of Hurricane Florence, Sept. 12, 2018. The Coast Guard is strategically moving assets to protect them from the storm’s impact, while ensuring they are in an optimal position for the response. One HH-60 Jayhawk will shelter in place during the storm for immediate life-saving operations when severe weather conditions recede.