"The Coast Guard spent roughly 11 hours searching for the missing swimmers with no success in locating them or gathering any amplifying information," said Bill Segelken, a search and rescue coordinator at Sector Houston-Galveston.
With no new developments or correlating information, the Coast Guard suspended the active search for the possible missing persons but may resume the search if new information is received.
Their search began around 1:40pm after a good Samaritan contacted Station Freeport stating that two men were spotted on an inner tube. The men were drifting away from land and were approximately eight miles offshore.
Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders launched rescue crews aboard a Station Freeport 45-foot Response Boat-Medium and an Air Station Houston MH-65 Dolphin helicopter.
A two-person inner tube washed up further north on Surfside beach.
The sector watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast requesting any information on the missing men.
"The Coast Guard recommends to always practice water safety. Wear a life jacket when swimming and be aware of currents and potential rip tides in your area," said Zack Edwards, a watchstander at Sector Houston-Galveston.
