Coast Guard suspends search for boater off Oceanside

The Coast Guard has suspended the search for the Oceanside boater who disappeared Monday and whose boat was later found off La Jolla.

“After an exhaustive search effort utilizing a significant number of crews and assets, we’ve come to the very difficult decision to suspend the search,” Coast Guard Capt. Sean Mahoney, commander of the San Diego sector, said by email shortly after 7 p.m.

The boater, Loren Ruden, 52, was reported missing after beachgoers found his dog near the Oceanside pier. The dog had apparently paddled ashore.

A tugboat, the Robyn J., found Ruden’s unoccupied boat, the Lucky Dog, about 10 miles northwest of La Jolla on Tuesday morning.

During the search, the Coast Guard utilized four helicopters and two cutters, along with two smaller boats. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection aircraft and the Oceanside Harbor Patrol boats also aided in the search.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Mr. Ruden, and my deepest sympathy goes out to them,” Mahoney said.

Ruden operated charter fishing boats out of Oceanside.

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tony.perry@latimes.com