Public Safety

Missing kayaker found safe by U.S. Coast Guard off Grayton Beach

The Walton County Sheriff’s Office announced that Chris Smelley, 37, who went missing while kayaking in the Gulf of Mexico off Grayton Beach yesterday, has been located safe by the United […]

Jared Williams

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The Walton County Sheriff’s Office announced that Chris Smelley, 37, who went missing while kayaking in the Gulf of Mexico off Grayton Beach yesterday, has been located safe by the United States Coast Guard out of Mobile.

According to the WCSO, Smelley had gone fishing in his blue and black kayak around 8:30 a.m. and failed to return. The WCSO and South Walton Fire District deployed jet skis to search for Smelley off Grayton Beach.

The United States Coast Guard out of Mobile was notified, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife launched from the Inlet at Destin Pass, heading east towards Grayton to assist in the search efforts.

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