Search for missing boaters continues

Pinellas County officials are searching for two men who went missing earlier today on Lake Tarpon in North Pinellas County. The search has been suspended for the night and will resume in the morning.

It appears that Dale Puricelli, 49, and Daniel Propes, 46, both of Holiday, launched their 15’ boat from Anderson Park shortly after 7am this morning, according to a release from the Sheriff’s Office. Other boaters found the men’s boat adrift -- with fishing equipment and personal items still onboard -- at about 11:30 a.m. in the Lake Tarpon Outfall Canal.

Two Sheriff’s Office vessels and a helicopter are scouring the area, according to the Sheriff’s Office. In addition, the Sheriff’s Office Underwater Search and Recovery Team is responding with side-scan sonar equipment to assist in the search.