On February 17, 2024, Julio Cesar Cordero Briones, 37, of North Port, Florida, went missing along with three other men after embarking on a fishing trip in the Gulf of Mexico. His companions were identified as Angel Hernandez Munoz, 38, of North Port; Ruben Mora Sr., 54, of Port Charlotte; and Alfonso Vargas-Parra, 35, of North Port. The group of experienced fishermen departed from the Marina Park Boat Ramp in Venice, Florida, around 8 a.m. on a 1995 23-foot white SportCraft motorboat with the registration number FL9937HC. They were expected to return later that same day.
Family members became concerned and notified the authorities when the men did not come back as planned. On the morning of February 18, police were dispatched to the marina where they found the men's pickup truck and boat trailer still in the parking lot. This discovery prompted a large-scale search and rescue operation. The weather conditions on the day of their departure were initially not rough but became foggy, and the weather worsened from Saturday into Sunday with waves reportedly reaching 4 to 6 feet at times.
An extensive search was launched, covering an area of approximately 10,345 square nautical miles, which is roughly the size of Massachusetts. The multi-agency effort involved the U.S. Coast Guard, Venice Police Department, and other local and state agencies who utilized boats and aircraft in the search. Despite the exhaustive 60-hour search, no sign of the men or their boat was found. The official search was suspended on the evening of February 19, 2024, pending any new information. The families of the missing men have continued their own search efforts, including chartering a private flight. Three of the four men, including Cordero Briones, were employees of Safety Harbor Builders on Gasparilla Island, and a GoFundMe campaign was initiated to support their families. The men are believed to be lost at sea.
Last Seen: Feb 17, 2024
