Search Suspended For Missing Tomales Bay Oyster Co. Owner

MARIN COUNTY, CA – The search for Tomales Bay Oyster Company owner Charles "Tod" Friend, who disappeared from his boat in Tomales Bay on Tuesday, was suspended Wednesday, a Marin County sheriff's spokesman said.

Friend, 70, of Oakland, was reported missing at about 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, after fire officials received an emergency call from an employee of Marshall-based Hog Island Oyster Company, according to Marin County Sheriff's Office. The caller said Friend's boat was unmanned and going in a circle.

"After conducting thorough searches by literally land, sea and air, no clues or information was developed to aid us in our search efforts," sheriff's Lt. Doug Pittman said Thursday morning.

"Should any new clues or information come forward, we will reevaluate the need for whatever appropriate action will then be taken," Pittman said.

Investigators believe Friend was not wearing a life vest and fell off his boat. Using rescue watercrafts and helicopters, personnel from the Marin County Fire Department, Southern Marin Fire, Marin County Sheriff's Office, Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol, U.S. National Park Service and U.S. Coast Guard supported the search for the missing man.

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Crews Continue Search For Missing Tomales Bay Oyster Co. Owner

Crews Search For Missing Boater In Tomales Bay

Image credit Marin County Sheriff's Office

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.