Search four boaters missing in Gulf expanded from Sarasota County south to Collier

Earle Kimel, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Updated ·2 min read
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Multiple law enforcement agencies are searching the Gulf of Mexico for four men who did not return from a boating trip Saturday in this 23-foot SportCraft boat.
Multiple law enforcement agencies are searching the Gulf of Mexico for four men who did not return from a boating trip Saturday in this 23-foot SportCraft boat.

Clarification: An earlier version did not list the full name of Alfonso Vargas Parra, one of the missing boaters.

VENICE – Multiple law enforcement agencies were still searching the Gulf of Mexico from Stump Pass to Longboat Pass on Monday for four men who left for a boating trip from Venice at approximately 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 and did not return that night as planned, according to a family member.

As of late Monday morning, the agencies had searched more than 4,600 square miles of surface in the Gulf, and are going out up to 80 nautical miles offshore.

The search for the four men spans from Sarasota County south, pushing into Collier County.

Agencies involved in the search at this point include Venice Police, the U.S. Coast Guard, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Manatee County Sheriff's Office, Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, Sarasota Police Department, Venice Fire Rescue, Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, Lee County Sheriff's Office and Sea Tow Venice. In addition to vessels, the Coast Guard and Sarasota County Sheriff’s office have conducted aerial searches.

What we know: Search continues for 4 missing boaters from Venice, Florida

Boaters on the water Monday were asked to stay vigilant and report any information that may be relevant to Venice Police Detective Courtney Zak at 941-486-2444 or czak@venicefl.gov, or use radio Channel 16 VHF.

Shortly after 8 a.m. Feb. 18, Sarasota County Sheriff's dispatch contacted the Venice Police Department to check the Marina Park Boat Ramp near the Historic Venice Train Depot for a vehicle and boat trailer left behind by the group.

Multiple law enforcement agencies are searching the Gulf of Mexico for four men who did not return from a boating trip Saturday in this 23-foot SportCraft boat.
Multiple law enforcement agencies are searching the Gulf of Mexico for four men who did not return from a boating trip Saturday in this 23-foot SportCraft boat.

The vehicle and trailer were located at the park.

The missing boaters are identified as Angel Hernandez Munoz, 38, of North Port; Ruben Mora Sr., 54, of Port Charlotte; Julio Cesar Cordero Briones, 37, of North Port; and Alfonso Vargas Parra, 35, of North Port.

The group’s vessel is a 1995 23-foot white SportCraft, registration # FL9937HC.

The initial search for the missing boaters was conducted by VPD Marine Patrol with the U.S. Coast Guard, Sarasota and Manatee County Sheriff's Offices, Sarasota Police and the FWC.

The Coast Guard is searching areas beyond nine miles offshore using several vessels and aircraft. Local law enforcement vessels are searching from the shore to nine miles out.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Search expands for four boaters who did not return to Venice Saturday