Empty boat drifting off California coast leads to discovery of body, officials say

A man’s body was found off the California coast as crews investigated an empty boat drifting in the water, the Coast Guard told news outlets.

The man was found unresponsive in the water Friday, Feb. 25, officials told the Bay City News. His body was taken to the county coroner and his identity has not been released.

Crews were investigating an empty boat that was spotted near Point Reyes National Seashore, park rangers said. The beach shut down as officials searched the boat near Elephant Rock.

Officials boarded the 42-foot fishing boat and discovered there was no captain on board, according to Bay City News.

The body was found about a mile away, Point Reyes spokesperson Christine Beekman told the Marin Independent Journal. Officials did not know whether the man was originally on the boat.

The incident is being investigated, officials told news outlets.

Point Reyes officials did not respond to McClatchy News’ request for information.

This story was originally published March 2, 2022 at 1:17 PM with the headline "Empty boat drifting off California coast leads to discovery of body, officials say."