Missing boater located near Sanibel after launching from Boca

Sheriff Bill Cameron

A Lake Suzy man who experienced engine trouble after leaving Eldred’s Marina on Friday, Sept. 30 is safe after the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office found him drifting 15 miles off the coast of Sanibel.

Stephen J. Yobuck, 42, was rescued on Saturday, Oct. 1 after the sheriff’s office helicopter and marine units searched the local area and were unable to locate the missing boater. Both the FWC and the sheriff’s office requested the Coast Guard’s assistance for a search that could involve several miles of the Gulf of Mexico. While the Coast Guard was considering the mission they had requested that the aircraft not fly the area.

As sunset was nearing with only approximately two hours of daylight left, Sheriff William Cameron ordered the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office aircraft to start flying the Gulf of Mexico. The Sheriff’s Office aircraft flew approximately 12 miles out over the Gulf of Mexico and received a radio transmission from a VHF radio.

The sheriff’s office aircraft was approaching the ADIZ zone, which is a restricted area in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 12 miles out, requiring permission from the United States Coast Guard to enter. By that time the Coast Guard was responding to the area.