Mysterious 'ghost yacht' washes ashore in Redington Beach

REDINGTON BEACH, Fla. - A yacht washed aground just west of St. Petersburg without anyone on board the vessel. The mystery may be deeper than the ocean waters out in the Gulf of Mexico.

United States Coast Guard officials sent search crews looking for a possible missing boater, but suspended search efforts after coming up empty.

The vessel had been registered in Florida and Delaware, but those tags are outdated.

Officials from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office say the vessel is registered with the Federal Government.  

People who live along Redington Beach seem shocked. Rob Klingel says, "We do not see something like this often. I have lived here since 1958 I have never seen a boat this size beached like this."

The 48 foot Sea Ray named Makin' Waves was made in 2005.  A new one is valued at around a million dollars.

Witnesses say when the vessel washed ashore the engine was running and the lights were on.

Deputies from the Pinellas County Sheriff's office are trying to track down the owner.