VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A boat belonging to two missing 14-year-old fishermen was found 67 miles east of Ponce de Leon Inlet Sunday afternoon, Coast Guard officials said.
Petty Officer Steve Lehman said the boat was found capsized and neither boy was in or around the boat.
The boat will be anchored in place while search-and-rescue efforts continue. Lehman said the Coast Guard is recalculating its search plans based on the boat's location.
Perry Cohen and Austin Stephanos did not return as scheduled Friday from a fishing trip along Florida's Atlantic coast.
Both are 14 years old, and they were last seen Friday afternoon in the Jupiter area buying fuel for their 19-foot boat.
“We are positive that our boys are still out there,” said Cohen’s stepfather, Nick Korniloff.
On Saturday, Coast Guard air and sea crews had expanded their search farther north along the coast.
The search so far has covered over 14,000 square nautical miles.
Cohen and Stephanos are both watermen and frequent fishers who have grown up around boats, their families said.
Cohen’s family lives right across from the water, his mom said.
The family has taken vacations to the Bahamas on their boat. It’s possible the boys ended up there, she said.
The reward for their safe return was up to $60,000 Saturday evening.
NFL Hall of Famer Joe Namath is offering a $100,000 reward in the search. Perry is Namath's neighbor, and the former football player said the boys were experienced boaters.
“Both families have been hard at work at this and praying. So let’s just stay safe and we’ll keep on looking until we find them,” Namath said.
WFTV
