SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — The Coast Guard suspended the search Sunday morning for two missing surfers reported in distress near the Santa Cruz Lighthouse Friday evening, pending further developments.
The Coast Guard and partner agencies searched more than 90 miles for 10.5 combined hours before suspending at approximately 8 a.m.
“The decision to suspend a search weighs heavily on all crews involved,” said Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael Zapawa, search and rescue mission coordinator at Coast Guard Sector San Francisco. “That decision is based on careful evaluation of all available information, including extensive search efforts, environmental conditions, and survivability assessments.”
No reports of missing surfers were received by local authorities or through social media outreach. Anyone with information regarding the possible missing surfers is asked to please contact the Coast Guard Sector San Francisco command center at 415-399-7399.
A Coast Guard Station Monterey boatcrew, and Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco aircrew responded to the initial report of two surfers in distress yelling for help approximately 200 yards offshore near the Santa Cruz Lighthouse. The Coast Guard Cutter Alder crew arrived on scene at approximately 1 a.m. to continue search efforts, while Station Monterey boatcrew and Air Station San Francisco aircrew returned to base.
First responders from the Santa Cruz fire department, Santa Cruz Dispatch, and Civil Air Patrol also assisted in the search.
To view the initial press release, please click here. For further updates, please follow Coast Guard Southwest District on X at @USCGSouthwest.