SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Coast Guard Sector San Juan suspended the search for an overdue fisherman off the southern coast of Ponce, Puerto Rico, Wednesday night.

Still missing is Eucebio Mangual, 63, resident de Ponce, after he reportedly went out fishing at approximately 6 p.m. Saturday from the local fishing village boat ramp, but did not return when expected, Sunday morning.

“Our hearts go out to Mr. Mangual’s family during this most difficult time,” said Cmdr. Matthew Romano, Coast Guard search and rescue mission coordinator for the case. “The Coast Guard is deeply grateful for the unwavering efforts of the pilots, mariners, law enforcement officers, and first responders who participated in the search and to Mr. Mangual’s son, whose incredible courage and cooperation helped guide our efforts. This tragedy serves as a solemn reminder of the importance of proper voyage planning, vessel maintenance, and ensuring your boat is equipped with the proper safety equipment and reliable means of communication before heading out to sea.”

Coast Guard watchstanders at Sector San Juan received a call from the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources operator at 1:06 p.m. Saturday, who relayed the overdue report that had been received from Mangual’s wife. The reporting source also informed that Mangual’s intended fishing route was unknown; however, that he would usually go fishing south of Isla Caja de Muertos and east to Cayo Cabezos.

Mangual reportedly departed aboard a 19-foot white recreational vessel named Angel, and he was described as 6-foot-tall and weighing 240 pounds. He was last seen wearing black swimming trunks and a light-grey shirt, and his truck and boat trailer were located at the boat ramp parking area.

During search operations, a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew successfully located a floating fuel tank, Monday, approximately 25 nautical south of Ponce which was subsequently recovered from the water by a Coast Guard cutter. Coast Guard watchstanders have since discussed the specifications of the recovered equipment with a previous owner of the vessel Angel. The item is being transferred to the Puerto Rico Police Department, which will conduct a formal examination as part of their missing person investigation.

During search efforts Wednesday morning, Puerto Rico Police and Ponce Municipal Office of Emergency Management personnel also located and recovered a container with documents belonging to Mangual that had washed ashore west of the Ponce fishing village.

Coast Guard rescue units, U.S. Air Force Civil Air Patrol, and Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard aircraft completed 32 air and surface searches. The search extended from Salinas to Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico covering 3,035 square nautical miles; an area larger in size than Puerto Rico.

Coast Guard assets, partner agencies involved in the search:

- Coast Guard Sector San Juan watchstanders
- MH-60T Jayhawk helicopters from Air Station Borinquen
- Coast Guard Cutters Joseph Doyle and Joseph Napier
- Coast Guard HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft
- Ponce Municipal Office of Emergency Management
- Puerto Rico Department of Natural Environmental Resources
- Puerto Rico Police Joint Forces of Rapid Action
- Civil Air Patrol fixed-wing aircraft
- Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard

Coast Guard Southeast District crews remain ready 24/7 to respond to mariners in distress, working alongside partner agencies to protect lives and ensure the safety of those on the water.

For the latest information on the grounding and response efforts, follow Sector San Juan.   

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