Naples, January 11 – The search for a presumed missing person in the waters of the Gulf of Naples, conducted by the Port Authority and the Fire Brigade, has been suspended. The operation, which focused on the sea off Posillipo, concluded after news emerged that the man, who had ventured out on his Stand-Up Paddleboard (SUP), had safely returned to his residence.
Initial Report and Search Efforts
The alarm was raised after a vigilante from Gaiola Park reported seeing a man fall into the sea and not resurface via CCTV footage. This led to an extensive search operation involving Coast Guard patrol boats and Fire Brigade helicopters, which meticulously combed the waters in front of the Neapolitan capital. Initially, there were reports of a surfboard found adrift, but it was later clarified to be a SUP.
Challenging Conditions and Lack of Official Missing Persons Report
The man had reportedly headed out to sea despite the rough conditions, with yesterday’s weather being so severe that ferry services to the islands were also suspended due to bad weather. Today, the sea remained very agitated, prompting a yellow alert for adverse weather conditions. Waves reportedly reached heights exceeding 3 meters yesterday.
The Port Authority confirmed that no ‘Myday’ alert or official missing persons report was ever filed. Apart from the Gaiola Park vigilante, no other individual had witnessed the man disappearing amidst the waves. This lack of additional corroboration, coupled with the challenging sea conditions, made the search operation particularly complex.
Resolution: Man Confirmed Safe
In the late afternoon, the search was officially called off after it was ascertained that a person who regularly uses a SUP in the reported area had returned home safely. This confirmation brought an end to the hours-long operation and relieved concerns about a potential tragedy at sea.
The incident highlights the importance of caution when engaging in water sports, especially during periods of adverse weather. It also underscores the rapid response capabilities of the Italian Coast Guard and Fire Brigade in emergency situations, even when initial reports are later clarified.
Local authorities continue to advise residents and tourists to monitor weather conditions closely and exercise extreme caution when undertaking activities on the sea, particularly during periods of high winds and rough waters.
