By Andy Boyle, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, August 26, 2010
REDINGTON BEACH — At least one detail in the mystery of the abandoned million-dollar yacht may be solved.
The possible owner of the 48-foot yacht was named as Arturo Millet Reyes, a man who purchased the vessel in 2008, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. Deputies said he may have been taking the boat to Mexico.
Around noon Wednesday, the Sea Ray Sundancer vessel was found at 15648 Gulf Blvd. Its motor was running and no one was aboard. Deputies searched the area, fearing someone may have fallen overboard.
The U.S. Coast Guard assisted, searching gulf waters farther off shore.
The yacht is called the Making Waves. It is based in Jupiter and had an expired Florida registration. But it did have current Delaware registration and U.S. documentation.
A Mexican flag was flying at the bow, with an American flag at the stern.
Deputies contacted the yacht's previous owner in Tampa, who told them he sold the boat to Reyes in 2008 and that he believed Reyes was taking the boat to Mexico.
Deputies had not found Reyes late Thursday morning.
Wednesday's search was called off in the evening after bad weather and darkness made searching difficult.
Deputies will impound the vessel until the rightful owned is found. They were waiting until the next high tide — around 2 p.m. Thursday — to move the boat safely.