Coast Guard suspends search for missing paddleboarder near Key Biscayne – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports

Lina Portman1 week ago

1 1 minute read

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. (WSVN) – The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for a paddleboarder days after he went missing near Key Biscayne, pending new information, officials said.

Thursday evening's announcement comes hours after friends and family gathered at a Key Biscayne church to celebrate a mass for Luciano Mercenari.

St. Agnes Catholic Parish, located at 100 Harbor Drive, was filled with singing and prayers Thursday evening.

“We approached the Virgin Mary and left some flowers,” said Michelle Luchau, a friend of the missing paddleboarder.

Relatives prayed for Mercenari's safe return. They described the 29-year-old as kind and charismatic.

“He can make anyone smile, anyone, even the kindest soul,” said Raquel Olson, another friend.

Mercenari left his family's Key Biscayne home to go paddleboarding around 5:15 p.m. Monday.

Coast Guard officials said Mercenari was reported missing around 9 p.m. after he failed to return home by sunset as scheduled. He has not been seen since.

Her cousin, Allegra Jacchia, took to social media to ask for help.

“We really need help with drones and planes from Orlando to Palm Beach,” she said in a video posted to TikTok.

On Tuesday morning, Coast Guard officials said, a good Samaritan located Mercenari's paddleboard and a waterproof gear bag about four miles from Haulover Inlet.

Back at St. Agnes Catholic Parish, another family friend said in Spanish, “Luciano, come home, because Key Biscayne needs you.”

Earlier Thursday, 300 people attended a virtual prayer session for him, all holding out hope.

USCG Capt. Chris Cederholm, commander of Coast Guard Sector Miami, released a statement regarding his decision Thursday evening.

“Suspending an ongoing search and rescue operation is never an easy decision, and so it is with heavy hearts that we offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Mercenari,” he said. he declares.

Officials said rescue teams searched about 2,219 square miles, an area the size of Delaware.

As of Thursday evening, 7News was awaiting information from Mercenari's family and Key Biscayne police on whether they planned to continue their search efforts.