Fort Myers, FL – The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for two missing boaters, Randall Spivey and Brandon Billmaier, after days of intensive operations spanning more than 6,700 square miles in the Gulf of Mexico.
According to the Coast Guard’s Southeast District, air and sea crews worked alongside partner agencies in challenging conditions, with winds near 10 mph and seas around three feet. The search covered an area roughly the size of Connecticut before officials made the difficult decision to halt efforts Monday evening.
Lt. Harrison, a search and rescue mission coordinator for the Coast Guard’s St. Petersburg Sector, said teams “saturated an incredibly large search area but, unfortunately, were unable to locate the two missing men.”
Capt. Corrie Sergent, commanding officer for the same sector, expressed deep gratitude to all involved, adding that “no harder decision exists than suspending a search.”
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office shared condolences to both families, calling the decision heartbreaking but necessary as the Coast Guard awaits any new information that could resume the mission.
Anyone with potential leads or maritime reports is encouraged to contact the U.S. Coast Guard’s St. Petersburg Sector.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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