The U.S. Coast Guard on Thursday said it had recovered a second body in the search for a family whose sailboat went missing off the Florida coast four days ago.
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Search teams with the Coast Guard Air Station in Clearwater are searching east of Boca Grande, Florida, after searching more than 27,000 square miles.
Search crews found one body on Wednesday afternoon near a debris field that Coast Guard officials said was from the boat that Ace Kimberly apparently lived on with his children Roger, 13, Donny, 15 and Rebecca, 17.
The debris field contained water jugs, tarps, six life jackets, a throwable life ring, a propane tank, a pair of shoes and a basketball and other items.
On June 23, the Coast Guard announced it recovered a second body about four miles from the location of the first body. His two teenage sons remain missing.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office and Lee County Sheriff’s Office were also aiding in the search. The family had been living on the boat in Sarasota Bay and became missing during a trip to Fort Myers to have the vessel repaired.
Kimberly reportedly called is brother saying that their boat was caught in 6-foot seas near Englewood, which is 30 miles from Sarasota.
Crews from the Coast Guard Cutter Alligator, Station Fort Myers Beach and Station Cortez, and helicopter and fix-wing aircrews from Air Station Clearwater, Coast Guard Auxiliary and Customs and Border Protection continue searching for the family. Authorities haven’t identified either body.
On Wednesday, crews located a debris field 37 miles west of Sanibel.
Ace Kimberly and his three teenagers disappeared Sunday after departing Sarasota for Fort Myers.
“This is still an active search, although it is a dire situation”, Captain Gregory Case, the St. Petersburg sector commander said at a news conference on Thursday morning.
“We thank you for helping Amanda and her family during this tragic time and for keeping them in your thoughts and prayers”, Welborn added.
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While in the air, the crews use a grid system with hopes of spotting any kinds of clues, while also making sure they cover every area of water in the search area.
