A search for a man whose broken kayak was found in Mission Bay Friday afternoon was suspended Sunday evening by the U.S. Coast Guard, officials said.
Coast Guard crew members along with San Diego lifeguards and San Diego Fire-Rescue personnel searched more than 52 hours for the man, using helicopters, boats, personal watercraft and surfboards to cover nearly a 460-square-mile area.
The search included Mission Bay, along the immediate coastline and up the San Diego River, but the man was not located. His name was not released.
The search was launched after an overturned outrigger kayak was found about 500 yards west of the Mission Bay entrance channel. The kayak appeared to be new and was broken in half, a Coast Guard statement said. It belonged to a man who had departed Mission Bay around 11:45 a.m., officials said.
Officials said cellphone forensics indicated the last known ping from the missing kayaker’s phone occurred at 1:48 p.m. on Friday, just south of the Mission Bay entrance. No additional clues were found.
The decision to suspend the search was made in coordination with local agencies that considered negative search results, environmental factors and the probability of survival. The Coast Guard will resume search efforts if new information comes to light, officials said.
Officials say anyone with information that could aid in the search is asked to contact Joint Harbor Operation Center watchstanders at 619-278-7013.
