The Latest: 2nd body found in search for sailboat family

MIAMI – The Latest on the search for a Florida family last seen on a sailboat in the Gulf of Mexico (all times local):

2:30 p.m.

The U.S. Coast Guard says a second body has been recovered as crews continue to search the Gulf of Mexico for a family missing off the coast of southwest Florida.

A Coast Guard news release says Cape Coral Fire and Rescue found the body Thursday morning, about four miles from where the first body was found Wednesday. Authorities have not released the identity of either one.

Searchers have also found debris from the boat. On Thursday they found a sailboat mast.

Crews have been searching for 45-year-old Ace Kimberly and his three teenage children.

The family left Sarasota on Sunday, heading to Fort Myers in a 29-foot sailboat. They were last heard from Sunday evening when Kimberly contacted his brother and said they were experiencing “6-foot waves and thunderstorms.”

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10:25 a.m.

The U.S. Coast Guard says search crews spotted a possible white flare in the Gulf of Mexico while searching overnight for a family missing off the coast of southwest Florida.

Capt. Gregory Cage said helicopter and boat crews saw what appeared to be a white flare at 2:26 a.m. Thursday as they searched for 45-year-old Ace Kimberly and his three teenage children.

One body was found near a debris field on Wednesday but authorities have not released the identity.

Cage also says searchers found a bucket containing birth certificates and other items belonging to the Kimberly family about 5 miles from the body. The debris field is about 33 miles off Florida’s west coastline.

He says they’re still “holding out hope” that they’ll find survivors.

The family left Sarasota on Sunday, heading to Fort Myers in a 29-foot sailboat. They were last heard from Sunday evening when Kimberly contacted his brother and said they were experiencing “6-foot waves and thunderstorms.”

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7:30 a.m.

The U.S. Coast Guard plans an update on the search for a Florida man and his three teenage children who were last seen aboard a 29-foot sailboat in the Gulf of Mexico.

The agency announced in a news release that Capt. Gregory Case will give an update on the search at 10 a.m. Thursday in St. Petersburg.

Coast Guard crews have been searching for 45-year-old Ace Kimberly and his children, 13-year-old Roger, 15-year-old Donny and 17-year-old Rebecca. They left Sarasota on Sunday morning, heading to Fort Myers to have the boat repaired.

Officials say the family was apparently living on the boat in Sarasota Bay.

Kimberly contacted his brother Sunday afternoon, saying they were sailing in “6-foot seas and thunderstorms.” The brother contacted the Coast Guard Tuesday after the family didn’t return from the trip.

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6:46 a.m.

The U.S. Coast Guard has recovered one body while searching a debris field believed to be part of a sailboat belonging to a Florida man and his three teenage children.

Coast Guard officials didn’t identify the body found Wednesday afternoon some 33 miles off Florida’s southwest coast.

Capt. Gregory Case earlier Wednesday identified the family as 45-year-old Ace Kimberly and his children, 13-year-old Roger, 15-year-old Donny and 17-year-old Rebecca. Officials say the family had been living on the sailboat for a year.

The family left Sarasota Sunday, heading to Fort Myers to have the boat repaired. Case says the last word from the family came later Sunday when Kimberly told his brother they were sailing in “6-foot seas and thunderstorms.”

The search continues for the other three family members.