The US Coast Guard is in active search for a couple who went missing in the Atlantic after setting sail from the Florida Keys, bound for the Bahamas. Robert Bernhardt, 59, and Vicki Bernhardt, 72, have not been in contact since last Wednesday when they were traveling on their 42-foot boat named the Irish Miss, as reported by Local 10.
Authorities are urging anyone with information on the Bernhardts or the Irish Miss to reach out, in hopes of aiding the search effort. The Coast Guard's Miami sector command center has become the hub for incoming tips and sightings, which can be shared via their direct line at 305-415-6800, as outlined in their plea for public assistance posted on the social media platform X, the site formerly known as Twitter.
Details about the vessel and its operators have been scant, but the urgency in the Coast Guard's call to action reflects the unpredictable nature of maritime travel and the pressing concern for the welfare of those aboard the Irish Miss. The search encompasses a swath of open sea where variables such as weather, currents, and navigation errors can rapidly turn a routine voyage into a crisis.
According to WPBF, the boaters' last known contact was on February 21. The search has been ongoing, with Coast Guard aircraft and surface vessels combing the projected path and surrounding areas. There have been no reports of distress signals or findings thus far, a silence that adds weight to the passing hours.
