(Sept. 22, 2008)

Coast Guard searches for missing swimmer

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - The Coast Guard is conducting a search for a 34-year-old man, Larry Tate, who was reported missing off mile marker 61 on Mustang Island 250 yards offshore in the Gulf of Mexico at 9:20 this morning.

A watchstander at Coast Guard Sector Corpus Christi received a call at 9:50 a.m. from Mr. Tate's sister, reporting that she was on the beach and watched him go down while he was swimming.

An HH-65C Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Corpus Christi was launched to search the area. Station Port Aransas dispatched a rescue boat crew to assist in the search.

The Coast Guard plans to continue searching the area this evening and early tomorrow morning with aircraft and boats.

Anyone with information about the missing man is encouraged to contact the Coast Guard at (361) 939-6393.