The Coast Guard suspended its search Monday for an Orange County man whose boat washed ashore in Newport Beach the previous day.
Nicholas Busick, 48, was reported missing Sunday after his boat washed ashore that afternoon with him nowhere to be found. The 17-foot Boston Whaler ran aground near lifeguard tower 56 in Newport Beach around 6 p.m., according to lifeguards.
The sheriff's Harbor Patrol, Coast Guard, Newport lifeguards, and Huntington Beach and Newport Beach police departments began searching. The Coast Guard continued after dark with an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter equipped with night vision technology and the Cutter Narwhal, the Coast Guard said. Coast Guard officials took over the search Sunday night as their boats have infra-red technology better capable of rescues in the dark.
"We don't believe there's anything suspicious, but homicide is investigating as is the case with all missing persons," said Carrie Braun of the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
The boat did not appear to be damaged.
Family members say the Newport Beach resident was on the boat fishing earlier in the day.
The Coast Guard and partner agencies searched for approximately 19 hours, covering nearly 186 square nautical miles, before suspending the search on Monday.
