Ziad Abdeen was last seen on an inflatable paddleboard out in the Dunedin Marina.
DUNEDIN, Fla. — The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for a missing paddleboarder off the coast of Dunedin, authorities say.
49-year-old Ziad Abdeen was reported missing on Friday, February 23, after he did not return from a paddleboarding trip.
Abdeen’s family members searched locations across Pinellas County where he is known to launch his paddleboard. They found his vehicle in the parking lot of the Dunedin Boat Club.
Deputies with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) responded to the boat club around midnight Saturday.
According to the Coast Guard, Abdeen was last seen Friday, between 11 a.m. and noon, on his paddleboard wearing dark shorts and a light blue t-shirt near Dunedin Marina.
A co-worker reportedly had contact with Abdeen Saturday and said he was stranded on an island and would try to return at 1:30 p.m. This was the last communication anyone received.
Abdeen’s paddleboard was found under a dock at 2685 St. Joseph’s Drive in Dunedin, about three miles north of the boat club.
PCSO says it will resume search efforts Sunday.
Anyone with information about where Abdeen may be is asked to call Sector St. Petersburg command center at 866-881-1392.
“#Breaking @USCG crews are searching for 49-year-old Ziad Abdeen. Last seen on an inflatable paddle board out of Dunedin Marina wearing dark shorts and a light blue t-shirt,” the Coast Guard said in a tweet. “If anyone has information please call Sector St. Petersburg command center at 866-881-1392.”
