TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Tampa police drivers found a body while searching for a missing shrimp boat captain, according to a release.
The Tampa Police Department said divers found the body on board the sunken “Miss Jodi,” which is owned by Curtis Lee Cowling.
Cowling was last seen alive at about 11:00 p.m. Saturday, as storms began to hit the Tampa Bay area.
After receiving several reports about Cowling’s boat being found submerged off Causeway Boulevard, officers found the boat at about 7:44 a.m. Sunday.
However, dive teams could not search for Cowling at the time due to the thousands of gallons of diesel fuel that spilled into McKay Bay, which made it a hazmat situation.
At about 10:28 p.m. Sunday, divers pulled a body from the sunken boat. At 1:31 p.m., officials confirmed it was Cowling’s body.
“Although our Dive Team members, joined by multiple agencies, all worked tirelessly in their efforts, we now share in the sorrow of this tragic outcome,” Chief Lee Bercaw said. “Our thoughts and concerns are with the family and friends of Captain Cowling during this difficult time.”
Cowling’s death is under investigation. However, there are no signs of foul play.
According to police, Cowling lived on the boat full-time.
The fuel clean-up is still in progress as the United States Coast Guard works to remove the fuel from the waterway. Officials said the spill was contained to McKay Bay.