Search suspended for boat carrying 20 people from Bahamas to Florida

The U.S. Coast Guard said it was suspending its search for a boat bound for Florida with around 20 people on board.

The 29-foot blue-and-white ship Mako Cuddy Cabin took off from Bimini, Bahamas on Monday and was due to arrive in Lake Worth, Fla., About 10 miles south of Palm Beach. Coast Guard District Seven received a report on Tuesday that the boat had not arrived at its destination, according to a press release.

The Coast Guard and several other agencies searched an area of ​​approximately 17,000 square miles for more than three days. He announced on Friday that the search was suspended.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the missing,” said Captain Stephen V. Burdian with the Seventh District Response Chief. “I encourage anyone with information on the people on board to contact us as soon as possible.”

A coast guard spokesman said on Saturday the agency had no information on the people on the boat. The search could resume if the Coast Guard obtains new information, the spokesperson said.

Bahamian police did not immediately return a request for comment.

Bimini is approximately 50 miles from the east coast of Florida.