A 48-year-old paddleboarder, Matt Pawlowski, has been reported missing after his paddleboard was discovered abandoned in waters off the coast of Florida. The search for Pawlowski began on Tuesday, September 15, following the sighting of his bright lime green and yellow paddleboard roughly ten miles offshore near Jupiter Island.
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Pawlowski was last seen on Monday, September 14, about four miles east of Jupiter Beach. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing a white hat, an orange shirt, and grey shorts. His last known location has prompted extensive search efforts involving various agencies.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard, search operations are ongoing and involve several assets, including the Coast Guard Air Stations in Miami and Clearwater, as well as Station Lake Worth Inlet and Station Fort Pierce. The Coast Guard Cutter William Flores is also participating in the search. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has joined the effort, providing additional resources to help locate Pawlowski.
Search teams have been employing both surface vessels and aircraft in their efforts, working tirelessly through the night to track the likely path of Pawlowski, taking into account drift patterns and his last reported coordinates. This allows them to better predict where he might have ended up.
The North Palm Beach Rowing Club, of which Pawlowski is a member, has taken to social media in hopes of generating leads on his whereabouts. In their outreach, they urged the community to assist in the search, sharing a photograph of the missing paddleboarder. The club’s post stated, “One of NPBRC’s members is missing. Please help us find Matt and contact Miami U.S. Coast Guard if you have any information.”
Pawlowski serves as an executive at NextEra Energy, the parent company of Florida Power & Light, based in Juno Beach. His status within the local community and his involvement with the rowing club adds to the urgency and emotional weight of the search efforts.
The Coast Guard has reached out to the public, appealing for any information that could aid in their search. They have provided a contact number for individuals to report sightings or tips regarding Pawlowski’s potential location: Sector Miami command centre at 305-535-4372.
As the search continues, the community remains hopeful for a positive outcome. Family, friends, and fellow club members are anxiously awaiting news and are doing everything they can to support the ongoing efforts to find Pawlowski.
This incident serves as a reminder of the potential hazards associated with outdoor water activities, particularly in areas known for swift currents and changing weather conditions. As the search unfolds, rescuers remain vigilant in their mission and are determined to bring Pawlowski safely back to shore.