— Update 8:45 PM —
** BREAKING NEWS ** According to the Clearwater Police, The Coast Guard found the missing boat capsized about 26 miles offshore. All four occupants are alive and are being brought back to shore.
CLEARWATER, FL – The U.S. Coast Guard has located a capsized 25-foot catamaran named “Money Well Spent” approximately 26 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. All four occupants are alive and are being brought back to shore, according to the city of Clearwater.
The vessel departed from the Seminole Street Boat Ramp in Clearwater at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, November 24, 2025. It is unclear when the capsizing occurred. The four occupants, adult males from Mulberry in Polk County, may have remained in the water for an estimated 20+ hours.
Rescue operations are currently underway, with the men being hoisted and transported to shore for medical evaluation.
Editor’s note: The boaters estimated the vessel began taking on water and overturned between noon and 1 p.m. Monday. Source: City of Clearwater
Gulf of Mexico water temperature off Clearwater Beach measured 73°F on November 10, 2025. Hypothermia can begin to set in after 12–24+ hours in 70–77°F water, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Hypothermia occurs when core body temperature drops below 95°F. Water immersion cools the body up to 25 times faster than air of equivalent temperature due to water’s thermal conductivity.
This is a developing story; we will continue to provide updates as more becomes available.
Source: City of Clearwater, USCG Cold Water Survival & Hypothermia Guide
———- Initial Report 7A.M ———-
CLEARWATER, FL — Clearwater Police and the U.S. Coast Guard are conducting an active search for four boaters reported missing after they failed to return from a fishing trip on Monday.
The individuals, all residents of Mulberry in Polk County, departed from the Seminole Street Boat Ramp at approximately 9:30 a.m. on a 25-foot green-and-white catamaran named “Money Well Wasted.” Family members expected their return around 4:00 p.m.
Relatives contacted the Clearwater Police Department just before 8:30 p.m. Monday when the boaters did not return. Officers located the truck and trailer at the boat ramp but found no sign of the vessel or its occupants.
The U.S. Coast Guard initiated a search Monday night and resumed operations at first light Tuesday. The missing boaters typically fish approximately 25 miles offshore.
The missing individuals are:
- Dennis Woods, 70
- Clarence Woods, 90
- Cris Harding Sr., 42
- Cris Harding Jr., 18
Clearwater Police request that any boaters on the water who observe the vessel or individuals contact authorities at 727-562-4242.
The search remains ongoing. Nothing further at this time.
Source: Clearwater Police Department
