A paddleboard matching the description of one used by Matt Pawlowski, a 48-year-old man missing off Florida’s coast, was recovered on Wednesday, the U.S. Coast Guard reported.
The search entered its third day on Wednesday, with air and sea crews from multiple agencies deployed to locate Pawlowski, who was last seen around 9 a.m. on Monday, approximately four miles off Jupiter Beach. Authorities confirmed he was paddling east on a 14-foot lime-green-and-yellow paddleboard when he disappeared.
The recovered board was spotted by a boater about 10 miles offshore near Jupiter Island and turned over to local police. Officials did not specify whether the board showed signs of distress.
Authorities continue search efforts
The Coast Guard, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Jupiter Police are conducting an active search along Florida’s coast. The effort includes air and sea crews, though no further details on the scope of the operation were immediately available.
Pawlowski, an executive at NextEra Energy (parent company of Florida Power & Light), was last seen wearing a white hat, orange shirt, and gray shorts. A spokesperson for NextEra Energy declined to comment on his employment status or provide additional details about the incident.
The North Palm Beach Rowing Club identified Pawlowski as a member and posted on social media requesting public assistance in locating him. A club member, who asked not to be named, described him as an excellent rower with about two years of membership.
How to assist the search
The Coast Guard has requested that anyone with information contact Sector Miami at 305-535-4472 or 305-535-4372. No further updates on Pawlowski’s condition or the search’s progress were provided as of Wednesday afternoon.