Missing Boater

Post by **jsuber** » March 19th, 2007, 3:16 pm

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- Coast Guard crews in St. Johns County continue to search for a boater reported missing Thursday night.

Crews aboard a helicopter spotted 34-year-old Steve Senecal's boat about 27 miles off the coast of St. Augustine early Friday morning, but the fisherman was nowhere to be seen.

"The vessel was in gear and fuel tanks were empty, so we're focusing our search efforts there and spreading out. We're doing everything in our power to find this person alive and as quickly as possible," said Donnie Brzuska of the Coast Guard.

Senecal was reported missing by his brother, who dropped him off at the lighthouse boat ramp in St. Augustine for a day of fishing.

Senecal's brother told authorities his brother was expected to return at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. At 9 p.m., when Senecal was still not heard from, the Coast Guard was called and a search was launched.

"We found the vessel. So, that gives us a concrete area where we can focus our search efforts and that's very helpful for our rescue crews and coordinators . We're looking at GPS and the vessel and trying and to use that information to determine how we can find this person quickly," Brzuska said.

The Coast Guard said it is using all of its assets, including a plane, helicopter and several boats in the search for Senecal.

Anyone with information about Senecal's whereabouts is asked to call authorities immediately.

STORY ENDS

I just talked with my cousin whose neighbor fishes with the guy. They found the boat 25 miles offshore, and out of fuel. It looks like he had two rods out and one was missing, as well as the gaff. They specualte that he may have gaffed a fish while on the troll and got pulled over the side and lost a rod. With the boat still on the troll, he could not get back to it, thats the speculation. He still has not been found. He had two cobia and a wahoo in the box. They caught lots of Cobia the day before and he went back for seconds.

How terrifying would that be.

Post by AJ » March 19th, 2007, 3:40 pm

I sure hope he was wearing a pfd. No telling how long the boat ran before running out of fuel. I hope they can find him but if they have not by now then things are looking bad.

Post by **Atticus** » March 19th, 2007, 4:14 pm

The guy was a member on FS. Not looking good.

Post by **Sir reel** » March 19th, 2007, 4:17 pm

Let's be extra cautious folks, there's too much trouble being reported recently

Post by **Dubble Trubble** » March 19th, 2007, 4:50 pm

ANYONE who goes out fishing alone and does not wear a PFD ALL the time, along with a WORKING Kill switch device of some kind is only asking for trouble.

When alone, I always wear a PFD and have my kill hooked up if the boat is in gear, trolling or otherwise. If I am alone and get a strike trolling, I FIRST go to neutral and kill the engine.

It only takes one time to make a widow.

Dubble

Post by **Nathan** » March 19th, 2007, 8:07 pm

Inflatable PFD's are great for this reason. Comfortable to wear and provide more flotation than your average non-inflatable. I have a pouch on mine that holds 3 aerial flares, whistle, signal mirror, and a dye pack.

Nathan