Coast Guard searching for missing boater off Florida coast

MIAMI — UPDATE: The U.S. Coast Guard says a missing boater made it to shore safely.

EARLIER: The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for a missing boater off Florida's Gulf Coast.

The agency said in a news release on Monday that 75-year-old Greg Thomson was reported missing on Sunday night after his 36-foot sport fishing boat broke down. The boat had been towing a 19-foot skiff.

Officials say Thomson was on the boat with a friend when they notified a towing company of their situation. The SeaTow crew arrived and began to tow the fishing boat. The friend told officials Thomson apparently got frustrated and left on the skiff.

A Coast Guard helicopter from Miami is conducting a first light search on Monday.

No further details were available.

Associated Press