Brendan McPherson, the enforcement chief for the 7th Coast Guard District.

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Brendan McPherson, 7th Coast Guard District chief of response enforcement, said it was a "tragic and preventable loss of life, " in a statement Tuesday.

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Steve Branham, commander of the 7th Coast Guard District headquartered in Miami, said four Coast Guard cutters were in the area, each of them at least 210 feet in length and capable of carrying helicopters.

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