U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) crews in San Diego ended the search for a missing boater after he was found at a local hospital when a nurse recognized him from news reports as one of the hospital's patients.
Officials with the USCG 11th District PA Detachment San Diego said lifeguards discovered a 6-foot dingy about one mile west of Mission Bay on Tuesday at 11:50 a.m. The boat appeared to have been abandoned. Inside, officials found identification belonging to Garrett Ferguson, 36, a former U.S. Army service member, who lives in Huntington Beach, California.
Ferguson, however, was nowhere to be found.
Lifeguards called officials at Coast Guard Sector San Diego's Joint Harbor Operations Center (JHOC) to report the empty boat. On Wednesday, USCG officials announced a search has been launched for Ferguson.
Multiple crews scoured the waters including USCG rescue helicopters, the Navy’s Search and Rescue Helicopter, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopter and San Diego Lifeguards.
The USCG said the search spanned from Torrey Pines to the Maritime Border Line.
A photo of Ferguson in military uniform was released by the Coast Guard Wednesday, as well as a photo of his abandoned dingy. The photo of the boat shows what appears to be other personal belongings left on board, including swimming fins, a bag and other gear.
Local
A nurse at Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego saw the news reports about the search for Ferguson and recognized him. After his identity was confirmed, USCG ended its search efforts.
At this point, it is unknown why Ferguson was in the hospital or why he abandoned his boat. No further details were released.
