Coast Guard suspends search for missing boater, FWC continues

FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla.- The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended the search for a missing 48-year-old boater from Englewood.

Authorities began searching for Jeffery Reinhardt on Friday, after his son reported he had not arrived home on time following a fishing trip.

Reinhardt was believed to be aboard his 25-foot boat. The boat was found by crews Saturday afternoon, with a life jacket missing.

Coast Guard rescue crews involved in the search covered more than 5,100 square nautical miles during 29 separate searches since Friday evening. Florida Fish and Wildlife (FWC) officials continued searching for Reinhardt on Monday.

“With the winds changing, the current changing, the tides moving in and out, it’s really impossible to get a hard direction to travel,” said Stuart Spoede with FWC. ” We’re just hoping that he’s got his life jacket on and we’ll be able to pick up that bright orange color.”

FWC says they will continue to search Monday evening and resume again Tuesday morning.