A New Port Richey man was reported missing at sea by his family Monday, and a search was under way, the Coast Guard said.
Mark Portus, 49, went fishing Monday morning near Anclote Key, departing from the Pithlachascotee River on a 22-foot fishing boat around 9 a.m., the Coast Guard said.
At 6 p.m., his family contacted the Coast Guard in St. Petersburg and reported him missing.
At 7:30 p.m., a crewmember from Sea Tow Services discovered Portus' boat aground on a sandbar near the north end of Anclote Key, its engine running and no one aboard.
The Coast Guard launched a 25-foot rescue boat and an HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Clearwater to search for Portus.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Pasco County Sheriff's Office are also helping with the search.
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