SAN DIEGO — The Coast Guard suspended its search for a missing kayaker near Mission Bay at approximately 5:30 p.m., Sunday.
Coast Guard crews, along with personnel from the San Diego Lifeguards and San Diego Fire Department, searched a nearly 460 square mile area over the course of 52.3 hours, but found no signs of distress.
The search began on Friday afternoon after the San Diego Lifeguards discovered an overturned outrigger kayak approximately 500 yards west of the Mission Bay entrance channel. The vessel appeared new with no signs of use and was found broken in half.
An investigation revealed that the kayak belonged to a man who had departed Mission Bay at approximately 11:45 a.m. that day.
The Coast Guard and partner agencies conducted extensive search operations using helicopters, a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium from Station San Diego, and the Coast Guard Cutter Sea Otter. Local agencies assisted with personal watercrafts, surfboats, and landside units to thoroughly search Mission Bay, the immediate coastline, and up the San Diego River.
Cell phone forensics indicated the last known ping from the missing kayaker’s phone occurred at 1:48 p.m. on Friday, just south of the Mission Bay entrance. Despite exhaustive search efforts, no additional clues were found.
The decision to suspend the search was made in coordination with local agency partners, after considering negative search results, environmental factors, and the probability of survival. The Coast Guard will resume search efforts if new information comes to light.
For anyone with further information that could aid in the search, contact Joint Harbor Operation Center watchstanders at (619) 278-7013.
To contact Coast Guard District 11 Public Affairs, call (206)-815-6689.