The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for a boater missing after a commercial fishing vessel out of Seminole sank early Thursday.
- Dennis Grim, 63, missing after boat went down
- Other crew members treated for hypothermia
The Coast Guard and partner agencies conducted 19 searches covering approximately 2,582 sqaure miles during a 39-hour search, according to a news release.
Dennis Grim, 63, was one of several men on the 37-foot commercial boat J.U.M.A. when Coast Guard personnel received a distress call just before 4 a.m. Thursday morning.
At least four Coast Guard crews are looking for Grim in the Gulf about 70 miles southwest of Fort Myers Beach.
#BREAKINGNEWS @USCG rescued 3 but continue to search for Dennis Grim, 63-year-old missing boater 70 miles south west of Fort Myers Beach. To download audio distress call and for more information, click here > https://t.co/aItEjMnsXd #USCG pic.twitter.com/BVi0Rsvxh2
— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) March 15, 2018
James Beeman, Anthony Bertolino and Darren Whalen were rescued after Beeman, the boat captain, called to report that the boat was taking on water. They were treated at Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers for symptoms of hypothermia.
Boat owner Dean Pruitt said the owner of the J.U.M.A. told him the boat was leaning, and when the crew opened the hatch, they saw water coming in.
"They got in their life preservers and the life raft just went down, the boat went down so fast the raft went down with it," Pruitt said.
Boat captain Shawn Watson described Grim, who goes by the nickname "Beauford," as a quiet person and a great fisherman.
"Good guy," Watson said. "He's been around a long time, longer than I've been in the business and always just one of those great fishermen. Everyone kind of got along with him, never had any problems with him."