‘Very difficult’ decision made to halt search for Oceanside boater

A Coast Guard official says his “deepest sympathy” goes out to the family and friends of a missing 52-year-old Oceanside boater after an extensive search at sea was called off.

The boater, Loren Ruden, was reported missing Monday 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. But by Wednesday evening, the search for Ruden was called off.

“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.

During the search, the Coast Guard used 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

Twitter: @LATsandiego