Coast Guard suspends search for 2 missing surfers near Lighthouse Field in Santa Cruz

SANTA CRUZ — The U.S. Coast Guard announced Saturday morning it had suspended its search after receiving reports that two surfers went missing Friday evening near Lighthouse Field State Beach along West Cliff Drive.

According to a news release, the Coast Guard and partner agencies searched more than 90 miles for 10 1/2 combined hours before suspending its operation at about 8 a.m.

“The decision to suspend a search weighs heavily on all crews involved,” said Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer Michael Zapawa, search and rescue mission coordinator at Coast Guard Sector San Francisco. “That decision is based on careful evaluation of all available information, including extensive search efforts, environmental conditions, and survivability assessments.”

The Coast Guard said that there were no reports of missing surfers received by local authorities or through social media outreach. Anyone with information regarding the possible missing surfers is asked to please contact the Coast Guard Sector San Francisco command center at 415-399-7399.

A Coast Guard Station Monterey boat crew and Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco aircrew responded to the initial report of two surfers in distress yelling for help approximately 200 yards offshore near the Santa Cruz Lighthouse. The Coast Guard Cutter Alder crew arrived on scene at approximately 1 a.m. to continue search efforts, while the Station Monterey boat crew and Air Station San Francisco aircrew returned to base.

First responders from the Santa Cruz Fire Department, Santa Cruz Police Department, Santa Cruz Dispatch and Civil Air Patrol assisted in the search.