Florida Boater Found Alive After Massive Search Says He Survived on Crackers; Authorities Allege Boat Was Stolen

Photo - Monroe County Sheriff's Office Facebook

U.S. Coast Guard and multiple agencies searched for the missing man before he was located stranded in the Everglades and taken into custody.

A Florida man who was the focus of a massive multi-agency search and rescue operation has been found alive in the Everglades. After being stranded for more than two days, 31-year-old Dustin Southwick was found next to his vessel late Monday morning. He was last seen at the 33rd Street boat ramp in Marathon, in the Florida Keys, around 8:30 Saturday morning.

Southwick was found on the banks of Everglades National Park after running out of fuel. Given the distance between Marathon and the southern coast of Everglades National Park, Southwick travelled an estimated 35 to 45 nautical miles before ending up beached on the coastline. Despite the good fortune of being rescued, authorities say the rescue took an unexpected turn after determining Southwick had allegedly been operating a stolen boat.

According to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, Southwick was reported missing after family members became concerned when he failed to return from a planned trip. The report prompted a huge search and rescue operation involving the U.S. Coast Guard, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, and other local agencies.

“He stated that the vessel ran out of fuel, causing him to beach it,” said the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office in a statement. “According to Southwick, he had been surviving on crackers, water, and electrolyte drinks while stranded.”

The search was concluded after Southwick was found alongside the vessel around noon on Monday. But upon examining his boat, investigators say it was recently reported stolen from a Florida Keys marina.

Photo - AOL.com

According to reporting from AOL, Southwick allegedly stole the 26-foot Edgewater powerboat, named the Mauney Marine, from a residential dock on 85th Street in Marathon, Florida.

The Monroe County Sheriff's Office said "(t)he victim knows the suspect and stated Southwick took the boat without his permission."

Authorities said Southwick was found in good health despite spending more than two days stranded in the remote area, which is well-known for rugged terrain and abundant wildlife. The errant boater was spotted by a good Samaritan who relayed his position to authorities. After being rescued, he was arrested and charged with grand theft. Southwick may still face additional charges.

The rescue operation, led by the U.S. Coast Guard, involved deploying both search vessels and aircraft. The Coast Guard also worked alongside state and local agencies throughout the Everglades to locate Southwick. Authorities have not announced whether additional charges related to the incident are being considered.

No injuries were reported during the recovery.

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