Coast Guard, others continue search for missing kayaker off Jacksonville Beach

Hundreds of Garth Sangree's friends prayed for his safe return Monday even as search-and-rescue helicopters and planes crisscrossed a large swath of ocean where water temperatures were 57 degrees Fahrenheit.

The University of North Florida student disappeared during a Saturday kayak trip that started near the Jacksonville Beach pier.

Ever reliable, friends say, the UNF student's absence Sunday from the Chets Creek Church worship band promoted an all-out search by the U.S. Coast Guard that has expanded to about 2,250 square miles of water - about twice the size of Duval County.

Mark Smith, Chets Creek Church minister of communications, said as Sangree's friends determined that nobody had heard from him since he was supposed to go kayaking, intense worry over his safety grew. Smith left the worship service and headed to the Jacksonville Beach Police Department to file a missing person's report.

About the same time, one of Sangree's closest friends found the man's car undisturbed at 16th Avenue South along the Beach, Smith said.

Smith, Sangree's friends and his family continued to wait for news throughout the day Monday as Coast Guard helicopters and boats searched for the missing kayaker.

"Anytime anything like this happens, it's devastating," Smith said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. We're hoping for the best possible outcome. We'd love to see him again."

The church's Facebook about Sangree's disappearance has garnered close to 100 shares, 200 likes and almost three dozen comments. People from as far as Indiana and Kentucky told members of the congregation they were praying for him.

"Praying for Garth and his family. Is there a search team I would love to help," one woman wrote on the Facebook page.

Sangree, 22, was last seen about 5 p.m. Friday and said that he planned to go kayaking by himself Saturday.

A Coast Guard rescue crew from Mayport launched at 4 p.m. Sunday after notification from Jacksonville Beach police. 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 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 also have been involved in the search.

Several other ships have also joined the search including an 87-foot Coast Guard Cutter Diamondback and a 45-foot response boat - both homeported at Mayport.

Those who know Sangree describe him as a happy, vibrant person.

"He's a wonderful young man. Very strong in faith. Very smart. Very athletic," said Bill Todd, the father of Sangree's best friend, Kevin. "We're continuously praying for Garth."

Sangree has been extremely active at Chets Creek Church on the Southside since joining in 2011 when he started attending at the University of North Florida, said Smith, the church's communications minister.

Sangree cherished his role in the worship band and was heavily involved in the college ministry, Smith said. He described Sangree as a fun-loving, athletic man who enjoyed the outdoors, especially running and hiking.

"He was just very reliable and very friendly," Smith said.

Sangree's family declined to comment Monday.

Sangree is white, 6-foot-2 and 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.

jim.schoettler@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4385 and derek.gilliam@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4619