Coast Guard finds life jackets in search for missing Florida family
MIAMI -- The U.S. Coast Guard found life jackets while searching for a family last seen in a 29-foot sailboat off Florida's southwest coast.
The Coast Guard also tweeted Wednesday that two kayaks being pulled by the sailboat were found as well, and that the search continues for the father and his three children.
#BreakingNews #USCG a yellow kayak located also believed to belong to missing family IVO of debris field. Search continues.
— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) June 22, 2016
After the debris was spotted by air in the Gulf of Mexico, the Coast Guard contacted a nearby boater who collected several items and held them for a Coast Guard boat, Capt. Gregory Case said.
The tarp, water jugs, six life jackets and a propane tank were then identified by the brother of 45-year-old Ace Kimberly, who had been living on the sailboat with his children for a year.
The items were located about 33 nautical miles off Florida's Sanibel Island, the Coast Guard tweeted.
#BreakingNews: USCG aircrews locate debris field approximately 33nm off Sanibel Island. 6 life jackets found, no sign of missing family.
— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) June 22, 2016
Kimberly left Sarasota on Sunday, with 13-year-old Roger, 15-year-old Donny and 17-year-old Rebecca, for Fort Myers to have the boat repaired.
Kimberly's brother alerted the Coast Guard on Tuesday after they failed to arrive, Case said. The brother said their last word came Sunday, when Ace Kimberly told him they were sailing in "6-foot seas and thunderstorms."