Searchers look for overdue kayaker offshore of Jacksonville Beach

U.S. Coast Guard and local law enforcement authorities aided by aircraft searched for an overdue kayaker Sunday in the Atlantic Ocean in the vicinity of the Jacksonville Beach Pier in Jacksonville Beach.

Garth Sangree, 22, was reported to be aboard a lime green and white kayak, the Coast Guard said.

Sangree was last seen about 5 p.m. Friday, and had stated that he was going out by himself on Saturday. Neither his family nor friends have heard from him since Saturday. Subsequently, his car was found at 16th Avenue South in the same place where it had been left. It appears the car wasn't disturbed, said Sgt. Thomas Crumley, spokesman for the Jacksonville Beach Police Department.

Jacksonville Beach police notified the Coast Guard about the situation at 2:40 p.m. Sunday. A Coast Guard rescue crew from Mayport launched at 4 p.m., and arrived at the search area about 5:40 p.m. A Coast Guard HC-130 airplane from Clearwater Air Station and a Coast Guard MH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Savannah Air Station launched about 6 p.m. to join the search.

The Coast Guard also has issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast about Sangree. Also participating in the search were the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office air unit, as well as personnel from the Jacksonville Beach Police Department, Nassau County Sheriff's Office and St. Johns County Sheriff's Office.

Sangree is white, 6 feet, 2 inches tall and weighs about 160 pounds, police said.

Anyone with information about him can call the Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville Command Center at (904) 564-7500 and select option 0, or call Jacksonville Beach police at (904) 270-1667.

Teresa Stepzinski: (904) 359-4075