Missing Cortez man found alive ‘but disoriented,’ after day-long search, sheriff says

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office late Monday said a missing kayaker had been found alive but “disoriented,” after officials had searched all day for him on Palma Sola Bay.

Peter J. Hasakis, 30, was found by a resident walking in the Sunny Shores Mobile Home Park, 3508 115th St. W., Cortez.

“Deputies are getting him attention now and still investigating how he got separated from a kayak in Palma Sola Bay last night,” the sheriff’s office said late Monday. “They are also trying to determine exactly where he was as rescue crews searched for him throughout the day.

Hasakis had last been sen on Sunday night at his mother’s home in the 3800 block of Catalina Drive in the Cortez area, according to the sheriff’s office

She woke up to find Hasakis not at home and a green kayak missing off of the back porch. Hasakis left his cell phone and wallet behind at the home, deputies say.

Hasakis’ mother reported him missing around 8:50 a.m. Monday, and the MCSO Marine Unit began a search of the area.

The kayak was found roughly two miles west of Catalina Drive, half-submerged in shallow water in Palma Sola Bay.

The U.S. Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers also participated in the search.

Anyone with information about the incident can contact Manatee County Sheriff’s Office at 941-747-3011.

This story was originally published September 14, 2020 at 1:05 PM.