TAMPA, Fla. — Police confirmed the body recovered from a vessel that took on water during the powerful Gulf storm over the weekend has been identified as the boat's captain.
Curtis Lee Cowling lived on the shrimp boat full time and his body was found onboard the submerged boat around 10:30 p.m. Sunday, according to the Tampa Police Department.
Authorities say they do not know what time the vessel sank.
"Although our Dive Team members, joined by multiple agencies, all worked tirelessly in their efforts, we now share in the sorrow of this tragic outcome," Tampa Chief of Police Lee Bercaw said in a statement. "Our thoughts and concerns are with the family and friends of Captain Cowling during this difficult time."
While his cause of death is still being investigated, law enforcement says there are no signs of foul play.
Authorities earlier said they found the 63-foot shrimp boat named "Miss Jordi" underwater Sunday morning in the McKay Bay area following several reports of the vessel seen taking on water.
Cowling was last seen around 11 p.m. Saturday. It was around this time winds in the Tampa Bay area gusted to nearly 30 mph at times, with light to heavy rain reported.
Thousands of gallons of diesel fuel spilled into the water, Tampa police said. Its cleanup is being handed by the Coast Guard, whose crews were able to contain it to the immediate area, authorities added.