NAPLES, Fla. — Despite a search continuing Sunday, Coast Guard officials still have not found a missing Naples boater.
UPDATE 5: The Coast Guard had 3 air and 2 water assets searching Saturday. The cutter Crocodile will continue the search for Dr. Cross through the night. pic.twitter.com/RT2IFP6eBX
— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) August 13, 2022
The U.S. Coast Guard said their C-130 plane located Dr. Chaundre Cross's 34-foot boat early Thursday afternoon between Sanibel Island and Naples, Florida.
However, when they stepped on the vessel, they did not find the 49-year-old doctor.
UPDATE 1: The vessel "Vitamin Sea" has been located offshore between Sanibel Island and Naples, FL- but not Dr. Cross. Coast Guard crews from Ft. Myers Beach, Cutter Crocodile & Air Station Clearwater continue to search for a person in the water.
— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) August 11, 2022
Friends and family members have joined Coast Guard officials in seeking any sign of Cross. Their hope is that they will find him treading water, waving, or signaling.
"Our first priority is the safety and well-being of our employees and patients. We are concerned for the well-being and safety of Dr. Cross and are here to support all of our employees and to ensure the continuation of care for our patients.”
“Our Naples and Bonita Springs offices will continue operations to ensure continuous care for our patients. We have other physician coverage and support from the community. We will continue to care for our patients.”
“The well-being of the individual involved, as well as our broader teams and patients, is our number one priority. This is a private matter, and we will not be commenting further on this matter.”
The water overnight was around 87 degrees; officials say a person can easily survive several days in those temperatures.
The search area includes Naples Beach, Fort Myers Beach, and Marco Island.
Cross went boating early Wednesday morning and hasn’t been seen since.
According to the sheriff’s office, He left the Naples Bay Marina at around 7:30 a.m. on his boat, ‘Vitamin Sea.’
When he didn’t return home later in the day, his family became concerned and contacted deputies.
Chaundre Cross is five feet and 11 inches tall, 150 pounds, bald, and has brown eyes. Deputies said he was wearing a purple shirt and black pants.
The Coast Guard is asking people with any information to contact them at the St. Petersburg sector at 727-824-7506.
Have you seen this missing person?
— CollierCountySheriff (@CollierSheriff) August 11, 2022
Chaundre Cross, 49, was last seen on his boat - a 33-foot Sea Ray with “Vitamin Sea” on the back - leaving Naples Bay Marina around 7:30 this morning. He hasn’t returned and family members are concerned. https://t.co/WDsjxcHDZj pic.twitter.com/ATzWrhCuzW
