JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended a multi-agency search for a man who went missing after falling overboard from a 30-foot commercial fishing vessel near the Buckman Bridge Thursday morning.
The Jacksonville Regional Communications Center received reports that a person had been thrown overboard from their boat on the south side of the Buckman Bridge within the St. Johns River on Thursday around 8:07 a.m.
Using emergency contact information, authorities were able to identify 20-year-old Michael Vaughn III as the missing boater, whom they said was the only person on board.
Officers said Vaughn had been out commercial crab fishing by himself in the area before a witness reported seeing him fall overboard from his boat.
The following Coast Guard assets were involved in the search:
- 29-foot Response Boat-Small crew from Station Mayport
- 45-foot Response Boat-Medium crew from Station Mayport
- MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew from Air Station Clearwater
- Coast Guard Cutter Tarpon (WPB-87310)
Law enforcement agencies involved with the search were crews from Jacksonville Fire and Rescue, Florida Fish & Wildlife, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, Jacksonville Sheriff Office marine assets and dive units.
"We are thinking of the family and friends in this difficult time," said Capt. Mark Vlaun, Commander of Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville. "We thank our partner agencies for their search efforts during this tragic situation."
-- Original Story
The missing boater in a multi-agency search has been identified as 20-year-old Michael Vaughn III, who disappeared after falling overboard from a 30-foot commercial fishing vessel near the Buckman Bridge Thursday morning.
The Jacksonville Regional Communications Center received reports that a person had been thrown overboard from their boat on the South side of the Buckman Bridge within the St. Johns River on Thursday around 8:07 a.m.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the boat was found going in circles with no one on board by U.S. Navy personnel.
U.S. Navy personnel stopped the boat by putting it in neutral and left it adrift while they began searching for its captain.
Shortly after, FWC officers responded to the scene to secure the boat and help search for the missing boater.
Using emergency contact information, FWC was able to identify Vaughn as the missing boater, whom they said was the only person on board.
Officers said Vaughn had been out commercial crab fishing by himself in the area before a witness reported seeing him fall overboard from his boat.
The U.S. Coast Guard, JSO and JFRD are continuing to search for Vaughn throughout the night.