JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — The search for a missing 15-year-old boy last seen swimming in Jacksonville Beach entered a second day Sunday after officials said the teen became distressed in a rip current Saturday afternoon.
Jacksonville Beach Ocean Rescue said around 4:45 p.m. Saturday, lifeguards were alerted that a swimmer was in distress just north of the Jacksonville Beach Lifeguard Station.
Officials said the teen was last seen wearing black and red swim trunks and was described as 5 foot 8 inches and weighing about 120 pounds.
Ocean Rescue personnel responded to the last known location where the swimmer was reported and began search and rescue efforts.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office's Air Unit and Marine Unit, the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department and the U.S. Coast Guard also assisted in the search for the missing swimmer.
After hours of searching with assistance from multiple agencies, the swimmer was not located.
Even as it got darker on Saturday, a First Coast News crew heard a Coast Guard helicopter circling overhead, going up and down the beach and out to sea looking for any sign of the swimmer.
Officials said Sunday crews have transitioned from search and rescue to recovery, as they look for the teen's body.
The Coast Guard was out searching Sunday south of Jacksonville Beach due to the direction of the tides.
Ocean Rescue Captain Rob Emahiser said the conditions were rough Saturday, with red flags lining the beach.
When it’s this rough, he always recommends swimming near a lifeguard, so they can save you sooner.
That captain said this family did what they were supposed to – they were relatively close to a lifeguard and got the lifeguard’s attention as soon as they realized they couldn’t see the swimmer.
However, with the 15-year-old being a non-swimmer, it made for a small rescue window.
With Sunday looking like a rough day on the water, the captain is recommending anyone coming to the beach to really consider their swimming abilities before going in the water.
“Please, if you’re not an expert swimmer, this is not the time to go in the water," said Emahiser. "On any day where it’s red flag conditions. We’ll have red flags at more than a dozen locations on the beach and on our towers.”
The current was pushing south pretty hard, so although the search started at 5th Avenue South, Emahiser said he’s alerted teams in St. Johns County to be on the lookout as well.
Anyone with information that could assist in locating the missing swimmer, please contact the Jacksonville Beach Dispatch Center at 904-270-1661.