Two friends are missing after sailing off the coast of Connecticut Sunday and US Coast Guard officials believe they have found the vessel the two were traveling in, which narrows the search area.
Spencer Mugford, 21, and Sofia McKenna, 20, were last seen off the coast of Avery Point in Groton on Snapchat at 2 a.m. Sunday, state police Trooper Kelly Grant said, and the search began after the two were overdue to return.
The USCG, Groton Fire Department and Groton City Police are all taking part in the search. Police began searching at 5 p.m. and were joined by the Coast Guard around 6:30 p.m.
USCG Commander Andrew Ely confirmed search crews found a small sailboat just west of Orient Point Monday afternoon. Ely said officials believe this is the vessel the pair was on when they went missing. The boat was empty when it was found.
Officials initially believed Mugford and McKenna were on a two-person paddleboard because of a Snapchat Sofia’s mother, Michelle McKenna, received.
“That was the last I heard from what I’m assuming is my daughter. That’s why I’m hoping anyone out there can search for them because I’m praying they’re still alive,” Michelle McKenna, said.
Ely said finding the sailboat has helped narrow down the search area. Crews continued the search Monday evening and Ely said it was still considered a rescue mission.
“So the waters here are in the low 50s, and if a person’s immersed in waters like this they probably have less than 20 hours of what we would consider survival time if they don’t have a life jacket with them,” Ely said.
“Miracles do happen, maybe somebody’s already found them. I don’t know. But we got to keep faith,” Michelle McKenna said.
Mugford is reported to be wearing a blue tank top and salmon colored shorts.
A helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod in Massachusetts and a 45-foot Response Boat from Coast Guard Station New London launched and are part of the search. The Coast Guard will also be bringing in a fixed-wing plane to search.
State police and DEEP also have boats in the water assisting with the search.
Anyone with information is requested to please contact the Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound command center at 203-468-4401.
USCG officials encourage everyone to wear a lifejacket when on the water. Ely also suggested bringing a marine radio rather than a cell phone, because cell service is not guaranteed out on the water, and phones may not work properly when wet.
Editor’s note: Officials initially thought the missing boaters were on a two-person paddleboard, but later determined it their vessel was actually a small sailboat. The story above has been updated to reflect that information.
Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com
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