On 07/07/12, at approximately 0800 hours, Operator set out in V1 for a day of fishing from Blackfin Resort in Marathon to return at approximately 1500 hours.  USCG was notified by subject's wife at 2200 hours that he had not returned.  USCG notified FWC at 0457 hours on 07/08/12.  USCG located V1 at approximately 0729 hours approximately 1 NM south of Duck Key with no one on board.  The engine was not running and the key was found in the "off" position with the throttle in neutral and the engine trimmed down.  There was a fishing pole leaning across a cooler in the stern of V1 with its line fouled in the propeller.  As of the date of this report, Operator has not been located.

Assisted by Officer, I took numerous photographs of the vessel and its contents.  I made note that the throttle was in the neutral position and the key was in the "off" position.  The engine of V1 was trimmed down and there was fishing line from a rod near the stern of the vessel fouled in the propeller.  A GPS mounted on the console was found to be on and actively recording a track.  This track shows a straight line running northeasterly from offshore of Sombrero Key Light in approximately 630 feet of water to offshore of Long Key Reef in approximately 200 feet of water.  The track then turns more northerly and then northwesterly and continues to the point where the vessel was found off of Duck Key.  It is unknown where Operator went missing from his vessel.  A smaller, handheld GPS was also on the dash of the boat, but was not turned on.

While we were examining V1, numerous USCG and FWC assets continued the search for Operator.  The active search by USCG air assets continued for several days without any sightings.

Once the examination of the vessel was complete, arrangements were made to return the property to wife.  Accompanied by family and friends, she arrived at Duck Key Marina with the trailer to the vessel.  A property receipt and release for returned property were completed and all property was returned to wife.

After speaking with family and friends of Operator, there is no indication that he intentionally went missing.  As of the date of this report, operator has not been located.
MARATHON                      