Coast Guard searching, Seeking Public Help To ID Source Of Large Debris Field

ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. – A U.S.  Coast Guard helicopter crew located a male body near a large debris field Sunday night in the Atlantic Ocean about 22 miles east of the entrance to the St. Johns River.

The man's identity is not being released.

A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission aircrew reported the debris, including two large pieces of a vessel; 10 life jackets; flares; and an oil sheen, about 6 p.m.

It is unknown if additional people are in the water or otherwise in distress, but the Coast Guard is responding as though there are.

Continuing to search the area surrounding the debris field are a boatcrew aboard a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium from Station Mayport in Atlantic Beach and a C-130 Hercules plane from Air Station Clearwater, Fla.

The Coast Guard Cutter Cormorant is en route, and the Coast Guard Cutter Kingfisher is slated to join the search Monday morning.