A multi-agency maritime search entered its third continuous day off the coast of northern Palm Beach County following the discovery of an unoccupied paddleboard matching the description of one belonging to a local man who vanished earlier in the week.
The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that a Good Samaritan aboard a civilian vessel located the 14-foot craft floating in open waters roughly 10 miles off the shoreline of Jupiter Island on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2026. The recovery marked a critical development in the ongoing efforts to locate 48-year-old Matt Pawlowski, who had been missing since Monday.
According to authorities, Pawlowski was last observed paddling eastward into the Atlantic Ocean approximately four miles off Jupiter Beach at around 9:00 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 14, 2026. He had embarked on what was intended to be a routine ocean outing but failed to return to land later that afternoon.
When Pawlowski did not arrive back on shore as anticipated, an alert was issued, prompting regional emergency response teams to launch an extensive search-and-rescue mission. By Wednesday midday, emergency crews were continuing to comb broad sectors of ocean territory in hopes of finding the missing paddler.
The search operation has grown into a significant collaborative response featuring specialized assets from multiple local, state, and federal law enforcement and safety organizations. Both aviation units and marine patrol vessels have been deployed across vast expanses of the Atlantic coastline.
Alongside the primary operations coordinated by the U.S. Coast Guard, the intensive search includes active participation from the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the Jupiter Police Department. These agencies have coordinated grid searches across surface waters and nearshore corridors.
Investigators noted that Pawlowski had set out on a distinctive 14-foot board featuring a bright lime-green and yellow color pattern. It was this specific visual description that allowed the passing boater to recognize the drifting board and promptly notify the Coast Guard of its location miles north of where Pawlowski was last seen.
While comprehensive personal details about Pawlowski have not been publicly detailed by investigators, published reports indicate that he serves as a corporate executive at NextEra Energy. The energy corporation, which serves as the parent company of Florida Power & Light, is headquartered locally in nearby Juno Beach.
When asked for comment regarding Pawlowski’s employment and the search underway, a spokesperson for NextEra Energy stated that company guidelines strictly prevent the organization from confirming whether an individual is employed by the firm or releasing any details concerning staff members.
Beyond his professional role, Pawlowski is an active water sports enthusiast within the local community. He is an established member of the North Palm Beach Rowing Club, where he has participated in athletic rowing activities for approximately two years.
Following his disappearance, the North Palm Beach Rowing Club published a notice on its official Facebook page urging the public to assist authorities by coming forward with any potential information. A fellow club member, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, characterized Pawlowski as an experienced athlete and described him as an excellent rower.
The Coast Guard’s Sector Miami command post continues to oversee search operations and has asked anyone who may have seen Pawlowski or who possesses pertinent information to contact their dispatch center directly at either 305-535-4472 or 305-535-4372.
The active operation marks the second time in roughly a month that emergency personnel have been dispatched to conduct an intensive search for a paddleboarder in distress within the waters off Jupiter. The repeated incidents highlight the persistent dangers and unpredictable ocean conditions present along the local coastline.
Just weeks prior, in August, an excursion turned fatal for Kevin Burns, a teacher at Jupiter Middle School. Burns and a companion had paddled roughly half a mile from shore to reach a local reef, where they secured their paddleboards before entering the water for a snorkeling session.
While in the water, the two swimmers were caught in a strong ocean current that separated them. Although Burns' companion was able to navigate the powerful currents and swim back to the safety of the beach, he lost sight of Burns during the struggle.
Following an emergency response, a Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office helicopter crew spotted Burns in the water north of where the paddleboards had originally been anchored. He was transported to Jupiter Medical Center, where he was subsequently pronounced dead.
As search teams continue their air and sea operations off Jupiter Island, law enforcement and maritime officials remain focused on locating Pawlowski and uncovering further clues following the recovery of his paddleboard.
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