The U.S. Coast Guard said it had suspended a 17-hour search of three people on Saturday, including two children who went missing after a small capsized boat in the river near Jacksonville, Florida.
On Friday evening, the U.S. Coast Guard received reports of a capsized ship near Goat Island, north of Jacksonville. The agency said he was not wearing a life jacket.
Officials said people on board were trying to photograph the sunset on the St. John's River, Florida's longest river, with winds passing through Jacksonville.
Marines at the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office rescued four boats who were perched on top of a capsized boat. None of the survivors were taken to the hospital, according to the Jacksonville Fire Department.
The sheriff's office divers did not find anyone under the boat.
Sheriff's office crew said fire department spokesman Eric Proswimer had found dead underwater people.
As of Sunday morning, it was not clear what caused the boat to become capsized.
“It's an 18-foot vessel boat, a joyous craft, so to speak,” Captain Proswimmer told reporters Friday night. “We retrieved the boat and it was turned over. We turned it over and it was towed to the dock.”
Crews from the Coast Guard, Jacksonville Fire Department, the Sheriff's Office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Committee were engaged in the search. Two helicopters were also deployed.
On Friday evening, the weather in Jacksonville was mild, with the wind blowing past the clouds.
Mike Ives Reports of contributions.
