VENICE — Four men from North Port and Port Charlotte who left for a boating trip from Venice at 8 a.m. Saturday but did not return Saturday night are the subject of a multi-agency search.
Law enforcement agencies are actively searching the Gulf of Mexico from Stump Pass to Longboat Pass for them, according to a press release from the city of Venice.
The missing boaters are identified as Angel Hernandez Munoz, 38, of North Port; Ruben Mora Sr., 54, of Port Charlotte; Julio Cesar Cordero Briones, 37, of North Port; and Vargas Parra, 35, of North Port.
The group’s vessel is a 1995 23-foot white SportCraft, registration #FL9937HC.
Shortly after 8 a.m. today, Sunday, Feb. 18, Sarasota County Sheriff’s dispatch contacted the Venice Police Department to check the Marina Park Boat Ramp (near the Historic Venice Train Depot) for a vehicle and boat trailer left behind by the group.
The vehicle and trailer were located at the park.
VPD Marine Patrol is working with the U.S. Coast Guard, Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, Sarasota Police Department, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and FWC in the search for the boaters.