US Coast Guard locates Sylacauga HS football coach who went missing in Gulf of Mexico

WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WBRC) - The Walton County Sheriff’s Office confirms a missing Sylacauga man who they say disappeared after going kayaking in the Gulf of Mexico off Grayton Beach was located and is safe.

Sylacauga High School Head Football Coach Chris Smelley was located safe by the US Coast Guard, confirmed by the Walton Co. SO around 7:30 p.m.

The Walton Co. SO said Smelley went fishing Thursday, March 28 around 8:30 a.m. and had not returned.

He was last seen wearing a camo swimsuit. He was in his blue and black kayak. A picture of his kayak is below.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Jaiden Hartley said Smelley did not have a phone, a life jacket, or any distress devices.

Officer Hartley said Smelley was last seen at 9:30 a.m. Thursday approximately 1.5 miles off the beach before he was located.

Multiple resources had been deployed to assist in locating Smelley.

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