On February 17, 2024, 54-year-old Ruben Mora Sr. of Port Charlotte, Florida, embarked on a fishing trip in the Gulf of Mexico with three other men: 38-year-old Angel Hernandez Munoz, 37-year-old Julio Cesar Cordero Briones, and 35-year-old Alfonso Vargas-Parra, all from North Port. The group departed from the Marina Park Boat Ramp in Venice, Florida, around 8:00 a.m. in a white 1995 23-foot Sportcraft motorboat with the registration number FL9937HC. They were expected to return later that same day, but they never did.
Concern grew when the men failed to come back as planned. A family member alerted the authorities, and on Sunday morning, police discovered the men's vehicle and boat trailer still at the Marina Park Boat Ramp. This discovery prompted the initiation of a large-scale search and rescue operation. Mr. Mora's family expressed particular concern as he was diabetic and had high blood pressure, requiring medication. His son mentioned that the family was already coping with the recent loss of another brother, compounding their distress.
The United States Coast Guard, along with various state and local agencies including the Venice Police Department, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and marine units from several counties, launched an extensive search. The search efforts spanned from Stump Pass to Longboat Pass and extended from the immediate coastline to over nine miles into the Gulf of Mexico, eventually covering waters off Lee and Collier counties. Over approximately 60 hours, search crews covered an immense area of about 10,345 square nautical miles, which is roughly the size of Massachusetts. The operation involved multiple assets, including aircraft and various watercraft from the participating agencies.
Despite the comprehensive search, no sign of the four men or their boat was ever found. The U.S. Coast Guard made the difficult decision to suspend the active search on the evening of Monday, February 19, 2024, pending any new information. The men, all described as experienced fishermen, are believed to be lost at sea. As of late 2024, there have been no further updates or discoveries in the case, and the four men remain missing.
Last Seen: Feb 17, 2024
