Quick Take
As of Saturday morning, the U.S. Coast Guard suspended the search for two missing surfers near Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz after they were first reported calling for help at around 6:30 p.m. Friday.
The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search for two missing surfers Saturday morning after more than 10 hours; their whereabouts remained unknown.
At about 6:30 p.m. Friday, witnesses reported two surfers calling for help in the water about 600 feet from the lighthouse at Steamer Lane in Santa Cruz, according to a news release. The Coast Guard’s San Francisco sector sent a motor lifeboat crew and a helicopter aircrew to the scene to search. The Santa Cruz Fire Department, Santa Cruz Police Department and Civil Air Patrol also helped look for the surfers.
The Coast Guard and other responding agencies searched for 10½ hours and covered 90 miles, according to a the Coast Guard release. At about 8 a.m. on Saturday, they suspended the search.
“The decision to suspend a search weighs heavily on all crews involved,” Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael Zapawa said in the release. “That decision is based on careful evaluation of all available information, including extensive search efforts, environmental conditions, and survivability assessments.”
There were no more reports of missing surfers following their first sighting on Friday evening. Anyone with information can contact the Coast Guard San Francisco sector command center at 415-399-7399.
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