Coast Guard suspends search for boater off Mead Point
Update: November 19, 2017 – 10:20 p.m.
The Coast Guard suspended their search Sunday at 5:37 p.m. for a boater missing 5 miles north west Mead Point since Friday.
At approximately 6:15 p.m. Friday, watchstanders from Sector St. Petersburg received a report from the wife of Fraser Horne, 63, from Calgary, Canada and resident of Cortez during the winter, stating her husband was overdue.
Search crews completed 30 search patterns covering approximately 2,192 square miles over a 65 hour period. Coast Guard assets involved in the search included:
- Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk rescue helicopter;
- Coast Guard Station Cortez and St. Petersburg boatcrews;
- A Coast Guard Auxiliary aircrews.
- Crewmembers from Holmes Beach Police Department, Manatee County Sheriff’s office, Pinellas County Marine Unit, Eckerd College Search, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and Rescue and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission also assisted in the search.
“Suspending a search is the most difficult decision I have to make and our thoughts and prayers go out to Horne’s family and friends,” said Capt. Holly Najarian, Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg commander. “Despite our best efforts, we were unable to reunite Fraser with his family.”
The incident is currently under investigation.
“Toula, our Golden retriever is at home in good health and I would like to thank the good Samaritan who found her Friday night,” said Michele Horne, Fraser’s wife. “I also would like to thank the Coast Guard and the many other rescue agencies who searched for Fraser. This is an emotionally difficult time and we ask everyone to respect our family and friends privacy while we grieve for Fraser.”
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Update: Sunday AM
USCG, FWC and Pinellas County Marine units continue to search a 3,244 square mile search area for Fraser Horne, a 63YO Cortez native.
Rescue crews have covered 2,180 sq miles since Friday night. Anyone with info, please call the USCG at 727-824-7506.
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The Coast Guard and partner agencies continue to search Saturday for a 63-year-old boater near Mead Point. Missing is Fraser Horne, 63, from Cortez.
At approximately 6:15 p.m. Friday, watchstanders from Sector St. Petersburg received a report from Horne’s wife stating her husband and family dog departed from Egmont Key aboard his 30-foot boat, Golden Rush, but did not return home on time.
A 29-foot Response Boat-Small crew from Station Cortez and an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Clearwater were launched to search.
The Jayhawk crew located Horne’s 30-foot boat, Golden Rush, at 11:15 p.m. about 5 miles north west of Mead Point. A rescue swimmer was lowered and he reported the vessel’s engines were left on, but the boat was in neutral. Wallet, keys, and shoes were located on the vessel.
Crewmembers from Hillsborough County Sheriff Office, Holmes Beach Police Department, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are aiding in the search.
Horne’s dog ‘Two’, a 90lb golden retriever, was recently found.
The Coast Guard asks boaters to keep a lookout and contact Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders at (727) 824-7506 with any information regarding the whereabouts of Horne.