Missing Firefighters: Coast Guard Searching For Two Men On Florida Fishing Trip

A massive search continues Sunday for two firefighters who went missing while fishing off the coast of Port Canaveral, Florida.

According to local reports, Justin Walker of Fairfax, Virginia, and Brian McCluney of Jacksonville, Florida, launched a 24-foot boat Friday morning at 11 a.m. and were reported missing to the U.S. Coast Guard after not returning at their intended time of 6 p.m.

According to the Coast Guard’s official statement Friday, the two men were headed towards fishing reef 8A.

The Coast Guard also said an aircraft had spotted a boat that matched the men's boat about 50 miles east of Jacksonville. A search plane reportedly had spotted a cooler and life jackets.

The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Navy are also involved in the search for the men. Authorities have reportedly searched nearly 5,000 square miles of water.

“US Coast Guard is involved in a search for two unaccounted-for boaters who left Port Canaveral on Friday and failed to return,” a post from the Port Canaveral Facebook page reads.

“Jacksonville firefighter Brian McCluney and Fairfax, Va., firefighter Justin Walker were last seen Friday as they launched their 22-foot Robalo from the boat ramp. If you have any information please contact the USCG or BCSO.”

Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to reach out to the Coast Guard’s command center in Jacksonville at (904) 714-7558.