Two Still Missing After Boat Capsizes on St. Johns River, Eight Thrown Overboard

Nearly 60 hours after their boat capsized on the St. Johns River near the Dames Point Bridge in Jacksonville, two boaters remain missing, triggering an extensive search operation. The incident, which occurred around 7 p.m. on Friday, involved an 18-foot vessel overturning, leaving eight individuals in distress.

According to Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville, initial reports indicated four people were on top of the overturned vessel, with four others potentially trapped underneath. A marine unit from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office successfully rescued the four on top.

However, Jacksonville Fire Rescue later confirmed the recovery of one deceased individual near the boat, with the age and identity unspecified. Initially, among the missing were two adults and two children.

The search for the three other missing individuals continued into the weekend, with the Coast Guard suspending its efforts Saturday night after exhaustive attempts.

“Suspending search efforts is an incredibly difficult and heartbreaking decision, made only after an exhaustive and thorough search,” expressed Lt. Cmdr. Barton Nanney, the Jacksonville search and rescue mission coordinator.

Rescue efforts resumed Sunday, spearheaded by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), with community members also joining the search. Social media played a crucial role in organizing local boaters and volunteers, who used jet skis and boats to comb the river.

Maggie Cantu, a local participating in the search, urged continued community involvement, emphasizing the importance of not giving up until the missing are found.

The tragedy also highlighted safety concerns, as it was noted that none of the boaters were wearing life jackets at the time of the accident. The group was reportedly photographing the sunset when the boat capsized.

Maritime experts have advised search crews to look for debris from the boat, such as seat cushions, which could provide clues to the sequence of events leading to the accident.

Authorities have announced that the search will continue into Monday, with FWC leading the operations. The public has been urged to avoid the search area to ensure the safety of divers and rescue personnel. The Lions Club Boat Launch and Reddie Point Reserve will remain closed during the ongoing investigation.