Community Corner

Search Continues for Missing Madeira Beach Fisherman

The crew of the "No Bull" vessel awoke early Wednesday to discover one fisherman missing.

A Coast Guard search continues for 55-year-old Gary Kettlehut of Madeira Beach, missing from the fishing boat, No Bull, northwest of Egmont Key.

The 7th Coast Guard District watch standers received a distress call at 7:15 a.m., Wednesday. The crew members of the No Bull reported that Kettlehut wasn’t aboard when they awoke at 6 a.m. 

The crew of the No Bull stopped fishing at midnight Wednesday, and Kettlehut was last seen sleeping on the bow. Kettlehut was wearing tan shorts with no lifejacket. 

Sector watch standers launched  an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew and an HC-130 Hercules aircraft crew from Air Station Clearwater. Coast Guard Cutter Hawk, an 87-foot Coastal Patrol Boat homeported in St. Petersburg, was diverted to assist in the search as well.

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“At this time, the search area is approximately 100 square miles, starting at the point Kettlehut was last seen,” said Lt.  Michael Persun, a search and rescue coordinator at the sector.

Anyone with information leading to the whereabouts of Kettlehut is asked to contact Coast Guard watchstanders at 727-824-7506.

Find out what's happening in St. Petewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

[Updated: Wednesday, July 31, 2013, 3:21 p.m.]


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