UPDATE: The Coast Guard suspended the search Thursday for an Ocala boater reported missing off Horseshoe Beach.

Mitchell Szegi, 47, departed in a 22-foot fishing boat at noon Sunday from Horseshoe Beach and was scheduled to return Sunday night.

The Coast Guard conducted more than 34 searches, covering more than 10,060 square miles, totaling 121.5 hours in search of Szegi.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Mr. Szegi,” said Cmdr. Randall Brown, acting Sector St. Petersburg commander. “Suspending a search is the most difficult decision to make and despite our best efforts we were unable to reunite Mitchell with his family.”

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg received the overdue report and started the search at about 3:45 p.m. Monday.  A crew member aboard an HC-130 Hercules airplane from Air Station Clearwater spotted a boat at 8:52 a.m. Tuesday matching the description of Szegi’s approximately 40 miles south of Carrabelle. A good Samaritan in the area contacted watchstanders and volunteered to investigate the boat. The good Samaritan reported the boat was clutched in gear, but disabled and adrift with no one aboard. Watch standers confirmed the boat belongs to Szegi.

PREVIOUS STORY: The Coast Guard is searching for a 47-year-old man Monday near Horseshoe Beach. The man failed to return from a fishing trip.

Mitchell Szegi, 47, is from Ocala.

Szegi left in a 22-foot fishing boat at noon Sunday from Horseshoe Beach and was scheduled to return no later than Sunday night. A concerned family member contacted watch standers at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg at 3:25 p.m. Monday to report him overdue.

A boat crew aboard a 27-foot response boat from Coast Guard Station Yankeetown launched at 3:45 p.m. About an hour later, a Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules airplane crew and an HH-60 Jayhawk air crew, both from Air Station Clearwater, launched to search a 2,000 square mile search area. Search crews from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission also joined the rescue effort.

Boaters are encouraged to remain vigilant while in the area and to render aid and assistance if necessary. Anyone with information on Szegi’s location is encouraged to contact the U.S. Coast Guard at 727-842-7543.