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The US Coast Guard on Friday suspended the search for a boat that would have transported around 20 people who did not return to Florida after traveling from the Bahamas.
Researchers traveled about 17,000 square miles between the Bahamas and South Florida for more than three days before canceling the operation.
The boat left Bimini in the Bahamas on Monday for Lake Worth, Florida, and then disappeared, Coast Guard officials said. Lake Worth is approximately 63 miles north of Miami.
“Our hearts and prayers are with the families of the missing,” said Captain Stephen Burdian, Coast Guard Seventh District response chief. “I encourage anyone with information about the people on board to contact us as soon as possible.”
The Coast Guard did not identify any passengers, but around 20 people were on board the lost 29-foot vessel. The boat was due to arrive in Florida on Tuesday.
The boat, a Mako Cuddy Cabin vessel, is typically used for recreation. The Coast Guard did not rule out the possibility that the boat was a contraband vessel.
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“We don’t know if that’s the case or not,” Coast Guard Petty Officer Jose Hernandez told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. “Either way, the Coast Guard is committed to ensuring the safety of all sailors. We don’t want lives lost at sea.”
The Coast Guard conducted the search with assistance from the Royal Bahamas Defense Force and the Bahamas Air Sea Rescue.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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