WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Coast Guard has suspended the search for the two Florida boys missing at sea.
[PHOTOS: Coast Guard searches for missing boaters]
The Coast Guard said after seven nights, crews were still scouring waters from Florida to South Carolina on Friday but didn't find any new clues in the disappearance.
Perry Cohen and Austin Stephanos, both 14, of Tequesta, have been missing a week. Their capsized boat was found Sunday.
"As we come to the difficult decision to suspend this search, our deepest condolences go to the families and all affected," said Capt. Mark Fedor, Coast Guard 7th District chief of response. "Hundreds of people searched thousands of miles with hope of bringing these boys home to their loved ones."
The Coast Guard said Friday at the news conference in Opa-locka, near Miami, that the search would continue during the day on Friday. The families said they will continue with a private search if the Coast Guard halts its efforts.
Chief Petty Officer Ryan Doss described the search early Friday as ongoing and said he had nothing new to report.
Authorities on Thursday released a 911 call made by the stepfather of Cohen.
Nick Korniloff called the Jupiter Police Department last Friday to alert them about his stepson and Stephanos.
In a calm voice, Korniloff said the boys hadn't been heard from since about 11:30 a.m. and calls to a cellphone went unanswered.
"Usually he checks in and he's told to check in on a regular basis," Korniloff said.
"And you know we had a storm before, too?" the dispatcher said.
Korniloff said the boys went offshore, outside the bounds of their expected trip, though it's not clear how he knew that.
"We had no idea they were going offshore," he said.
A Florida congressman who represents the community where the teens are from urged the U.S. Coast Guard to keep searching Friday.
Rep. Patrick E. Murphy issued a statement with a simple plea: "Keep looking."
Murphy, a Democrat, noted that the water temperatures are warm and the two teens "know the water well."