MOBILE, Ala. — The Coast Guard suspended its search Tuesday for a 15-year old boy who went missing off Ship Island.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the missing boater’s family and friends,” said Cmdr. Christopher Cederholm. “We have exhausted all available resources in our efforts, but pending further developments, we have decided to suspend the active search.”

The Coast Guard conducted an extensive search of the area, conducting 29 sorties, totaling 45 mission hours and covering approximately 1,184 square miles.

The following assets aided in the search:

• The Coast Guard Cutter Coho;

• An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans;

• A MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Aviation Traininng center Mobile;

• A 45-foot Response Boat – Medium crew from Coast Guard Station Gulfport.

The following agencies aided in the search: Harrison County Sheriff’s Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Army.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Mobile were notified at approximately 5:15 p.m., Sunday that the teenager was missing. The boy was last seen drifting northwest from Buoy 26 in the Gulfport ship Channel.

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