ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Coast Guard recovered the body of David Savioe, 33, however have decided to suspend the search for the second boater still missing.
Crews have searched for nearly 125 hours, covering 1,332 square nautical miles, the release reports.
Michael Sedor, 39, is still missing.
"One of the toughest parts of the job is suspending search and rescue efforts, and we do not make this decision lightly," Capt. Matthew Thompson, commanding officer of Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, said in a statement Sunday evening. "It is only after the Coast Guard, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Levi Sheriff’s County Office, and local partner agencies saturated every possible area that we must make this call."
Coast Guard crews were able to recover Savioe around 7 a.m. on Saturday near his sunken vessel "Dog House," a news release from the Coast Guard reports.
A good Samaritan reported debris in the water to Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders at 11 a.m. Wednesday, the release explains. Crews were deployed to search the area with help from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Levi County Sheriff's Office.
"Our deepest sympathies go out to the family, friends and loved ones of David," Capt. Matthew Thompson, commanding officer of Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, said in a statement.
Many different crews came together in the search so far, including:
- Coast Guard Station Yankeetown 27-foot boat crew
- The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Crocodile
- The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Diamondback
- Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater HC-130 and MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrews
- FWC marine crews
- Levi Sheriff’s County Office crews
“Our rescue crews have been diligently continuing the search and rescue efforts to find Michael," Thompson wrote.