Tragedy during safe boating campaign

Dale Allan Hossfield

The annual campaign, National Safe Boating Week, is a leading catalyst for recreational boating safety through education, outreach, and training. Held in 2022 on May 21 through May 27, the mission is to reduce accidents, but the messaging came too late for 68-year-old Dale Allan Hossfield from Vero Beach, FL.

The Coast Guard suspended the search for Hossfield on May 22 after it was discovered his 29-foot boat washed ashore on Melbourne Beach, FL. It was reported Hossfield left from Fort Pierce Inlet at approximately 2:00pm on May 18.

“We have made the difficult decision to suspend the search for Dale Hossfield,” said Lt. Cmdr. Daniel Delgado, Coast Guard Sector Miami search and rescue coordinator. “We extend our deepest condolences to Dale’s family and friends during this difficult time.”

Coast Guard Sector Miami watchstanders received a report on May 18 that a 29-foot boat had washed ashore on Melbourne Beach with the engines still running. After issuing an urgent marine information broadcast over VHF-FM Channel 16 notifying all mariners to keep a lookout for Hossfield, the Coast Guard launched air and surface assets to begin the search.

But after covering approximately 4,264 square miles, roughly the size of Connecticut, and searching for a total of 132 hours, their efforts were discontinued. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Hossfield should contact Coast Guard Sector Miami command center at 305-535-4472.

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