Coast Guard searches for missing boaters off Florida coast

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The family of a missing boater awaited updates at Jetty Park in Port Canaveral on Sunday. 

The U.S. Coast Guard said that Brian McCluney and Justin Walker were last seen launching their boat from Jetty Park at about 11 a.m.

 McCluney's wife, Stephanie McCluney told News 6 that she's sure her husband is alive. 

"I'm highly, highly confident that he will survive," McCluney said. "I have an army behind me. I have an army that is just holding and bathing me in prayer."

The family walked up the coast Sunday, praying and looking for any signs of the missing boaters. 
 

"They normally generally head around the same area. The usually fish the same kind of grounds. It's a regular kind of pattern for them, so it was a short day on the water. 'We should be in by 6,' is what they told us," McCluney said.

Sunday night marks the third in a row for the searches. McCluney said that she believes her husband is out on the water, awaiting his rescue.

"Mechanical issue on the boat, I'm guessing, mechanical, electrical. They're just sitting there, floating with no systems working right now, waiting to be picked up. Drifting," said McCluney. "I know Justin is exactly the same. They are two of the most resourceful men I've ever met."

The U.S. Coast Guard said that it will continue to search throughout the night. Investigators said so far, they've searched more than 20,000 square miles.

The boaters have not returned, and authorities are asking anyone out on the water who has any information that can assist in locating them to please call the United States Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville Command Center at 904-714-7558.