GPS Watch Dilemma in Missing Paddleboarder Case Spurs Garmin Plea

The family of a missing paddleboarder is urging Garmin executives to provide location data from his GPS watch after he vanished off the coast of Florida. The paddleboard was found intact, but the watch had not been synced to his phone for several months.

The family of a missing paddleboarder is desperately appealing to Garmin executives to release the location data from his GPS watch in hopes of finding their loved one. Luciano Mercenari vanished on Monday while paddleboarding off the coast of Key Biscayne, Florida, wearing a Garmin brand diving watch.

Mercenari's cousin, Allegra Jacchia, has taken to social media to urge Garmin to take further action in locating him. Her viral post, which uses the hashtag "#FindLuc," has garnered widespread attention and support.

GPS Watch Dilemma in Missing Paddleboarder Case Spurs Garmin Plea

According to Jacchia, Garmin initially told the family that they were unable to track Mercenari's location because the watch had not been synced to his phone since March. However, following public pressure, Garmin has reportedly agreed to send out a team with sonar devices to search for Mercenari on Thursday.

Garmin has stated that they have been in contact with local police and have responded to inquiries from family members. The company has expressed their support for efforts to locate Mercenari but has not yet confirmed the details of the search.

GPS Watch Dilemma in Missing Paddleboarder Case Spurs Garmin Plea

Mercenari was last seen on surveillance video leaving his residence just after 5 p.m. Monday, according to the Key Biscayne Police Department. He was wearing a long white shirt, black and red shorts, and carrying a gray backpack.

His paddleboard, a teal and orange Niphean inflatable, was found intact nearby on Tuesday morning by good Samaritans. Jacchia said that Mercenari's wet bag, containing a mask, snorkel, gloves, and water bottle, was also on the paddleboard when it was found.

GPS Watch Dilemma in Missing Paddleboarder Case Spurs Garmin Plea

The paddleboard was discovered 3½ miles off the coast of Pompano. Search efforts are underway involving boats, helicopters, and planes from Florida Fish and Wildlife officials, the U.S. Coast Guard, and Miami-Dade and Key Biscayne police.

Jacchia emphasized that Mercenari is a professional diver and spearfisher who is familiar with the water. She expressed that the family is doing everything they can to find him and remains hopeful despite their distress.

Anyone with information on Mercenari's whereabouts is urged to contact Key Biscayne police at 305-365-5555. The family continues to appeal to Garmin and the public for support in their search for Luciano Mercenari.