FORT WALTON BEACH - Rescuers on Tuesday found no sign of a man reported to be in distress in Santa Rosa Sound on Monday night.
The man, who has not been identified, was swimming with another man from the dock at Fort Walton Landing to a boat anchored about 30 yards offshore when he started to yell for help, according to Sgt. Matt Holt with the Fort Walton Beach Police Department.
The other man had reached the boat when he heard the cries. He went back to help the swimmer but couldn’t find him, Holt said.
“We’re not sure if he’s OK or he didn’t make it,” Holt said.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Coast Guard helped search the water Monday evening. An FWC boat searched the area again Tuesday morning, Holt said.
“There’s no indication that someone drowned at this point,” he said Tuesday morning. “He could have made it to shore and that’s what we’re hoping at this point.”
Holt said the man is believed to be a transient. Officers are checking his last known whereabouts.
Police will continue to make periodic checks today, but Holt was unsure what resources would be available.
“We’re still looking for him,” Holt said late Tuesday afternoon.