The U.S. Coast Guard on Friday suspended the search for a boat that allegedly was carrying around 20 people who did not return to Florida after traveling from the Bahamas.
The researchers covered about 17,000 square miles between the Bahamas and southern Florida for more than three days before canceling the operation.
The boat left Bimini, in the Bahamas, on Monday bound for Lake Worth, Florida, and then disappeared, Coast Guard officials said. Lake Worth is approximately 63 miles north of Miami.
“Our thoughts and prayers go to the families of the missing people,” said Capt. Stephen Burdian, chief of the Coast Guard’s seventh district response. “I encourage anyone with information about the people on board to contact us as soon as possible.”
The Coast Guard did not identify any passengers, but an estimated 20 people were on board the lost 29-foot ship. The boat was scheduled to arrive in Florida on Tuesday.
The boat, a Mako Cuddy Cabin, is normally used for recreation. The Coast Guard did not rule out the possibility that the boat was a smuggler.
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“We don’t know if it is or not,” Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Jose Hernandez told South Florida’s Sun-Sentinel. “Regardless, the Coast Guard is committed to the safety of all sailors. We don’t want any life lost at sea.”
The Coast Guard conducted the search with the assistance of the Royal Bahamas Defense Force and the Bahamas Air Sea Rescue.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.