The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended the search for a man who went missing while boating near the Oceanside Harbor earlier this week, officials confirmed Wednesday night.
As of 7 p.m., authorities had called off the search for Loren Ruden, 53, who’s been missing at sea since Monday.
“After an exhaustive search effort utilizing a significant number of crews and assets, we’ve come to the very difficult decision to suspend this search,” said Capt. Sean Mahoney, the commander of Sector San Diego in a statement released Wednesday. "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Mr. Ruden, and my deepest sympathy goes out to them."
Officials say Ruden launched from Oceanside Marina around 11:30 a.m. Monday. His dog, Sadie, was found sitting on the beach just north of Oceanside Pier later that day.
A passer-by called the phone number engraved on Sadie’s dog tag, reaching Ruden’s wife and setting the search in motion.
On Tuesday, Ruden’s 21-foot Striper he named “Lucky Dog” was found 10 miles northwest of La Jolla traveling in circles at idle speed with no one aboard.
In the last 48 hours the U.S. Coast Guard and FBI have led the charge in the extensive search for Ruden – a search grid that spans a 17-mile stretch of the California coastline, from San Mateo Point to La Jolla.
However, there is still no trace of the missing man.
Coast Guard officials say their search for Ruden has covered 2,170 square nautical miles. Multiple crews have assisted in the effort, including crews from Coast Guard Sector San Diego, Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles, Coast Guard Auxiliary, Oceanside Harbor Police, Customs and Border Protection, as well as several volunteers.
Various air crews have also searched continuously for Ruden since his disappearance, including crews on board two MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters, two MH-65 Dolphin helicopters, crews from Coast Guard Air Station Los Angeles and a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Multi-role Enforcement Aircraft crew.
Meanwhile, search and rescue coordinators working in the Joint Harbor Operation Center have also aided in the search, officials said.
On Wednesday NBC 7 spoke with Ruden’s sister, Angie Richards, about his disappearance. Richards said she’s holding out hope for her brother’s safe return and begged local boaters to get out there and help bring Ruden home.
