Coast Guard Suspends Search For Diver Missing Off Anclote Key

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — Following a 43-hour search, the U.S. Coast Guard announced Monday night that it was suspending its search for a missing diver off Anclote Key.

Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg was notified at 1:05 p.m. Saturday by friends of Eddie Brunt III, 35, that he had not resurfaced following a dive about 7 miles off Anclote Key.

Coast Guard crews searched an area covering 1,685 square miles, an area roughly the size of Rhode Island.

"One of the toughest parts of the job is suspending search-and-rescue efforts, and we do not make this decision lightly," said Capt. Matt Thompson, commanding officer of Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg. "It is only after the Coast Guard, FWC and local partner agencies saturated every possible area that we must make this call. Our thoughts are with Mr. Brunt's family and friends at this difficult time."

In addition to a Coast Guard Station Sand Key response boat and two Coast Guard cutters, the search included Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater HC-130 and MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crews, Florida Wildlife and Conservation Commission marine crews and the fishing vessel Fat Cat with four divers.