JUPITER, FL — The U.S. Coast Guard says it will keep searching around the clock for 48-year-old Matt Pawlowski, who disappeared after a paddleboarding trip off Jupiter Beach. Crews have already searched through the night and plan to continue through the day and into the evening.
Pawlowski was last seen Monday morning about four miles east of Jupiter Beach. His family reported him missing after he did not come back to shore. A good Samaritan later found his 14-foot lime green and yellow paddleboard and turned it in to Jupiter Police.
Search area shifts north as currents push crews to follow drift patterns
Coast Guard officials said they are moving the search area north because of currents in the Florida Straits. They are basing the operation on Pawlowski’s last known position, drift patterns and possible routes he could have taken after he was last seen.
Multiple aircraft, partner agencies and other resources are helping with the search. The effort remains focused on finding any sign of Pawlowski in the water or along the likely drift path. Officials have not said what may have caused him to go missing.
What Pawlowski was wearing when he disappeared
When he went missing, Pawlowski was reportedly wearing a white hat, an orange shirt and gray shorts. The Coast Guard said that information is part of the search because it may help anyone who spots something unusual on the water or shoreline.
Anyone with information about Pawlowski is being asked to call the Sector Miami Command Center at 305-535-4372. The Coast Guard also asked the public to report any possible sightings as the search continues day and night.
Local fishermen say the inlet and tides can change conditions fast
Jupiter fisherman Parker Osteen said he was at the beach Monday afternoon and saw paddleboarders out on the water, though he did not see Pawlowski. He said the conditions did not seem especially rough when he arrived around 12:30 p.m., and that the outing looked manageable at the time.
Osteen also said changing tides and incoming weather can alter the water quickly. He described the shift as something that can happen within minutes when weather moves in, making a calm stretch of water turn more difficult in a short period of time.
Comments from Jupiter anglers underscore the dangers near the jetty
Fellow fisherman Spencer Cohen said the inlet can become especially difficult when the tide is moving. He said the chop near the inlet can be intense and that the water can be rough at times, especially when currents are strong.
Charlie Robinson said paddleboarders are often seen in the area near the jetty and break, where people also fish the waves. Robinson said bright colors can matter for anyone heading offshore, which is why Pawlowski’s reported gear stood out to local anglers.
Community members express hope while the search continues
The disappearance has left some local fishermen shaken. Cohen said learning about the missing paddleboarder was upsetting, while Osteen said it was heartbreaking and said he could only hope for a better outcome.
The search remains active as the Coast Guard follows the best available information and asks the public to stay alert. Pawlowski’s family and friends are waiting for answers while crews continue looking both day and night off Jupiter Beach.
