Bag found by researchers looking for Florida firefighters who went missing on a fishing trip



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While the desperate search for two missing firefighters during a fishing trip off the coast of Florida has been going on for four days, the family has confirmed that a bag found by civilians has been found by one of the missing men.

Fireman, Brian McCluney, of Jacksonville, Fla., And Justin Walker, member of the Fire Department of Fairfax, Va., Were seen last Friday at the launch of a 22-foot fishing boat at Port Canaveral, near the Kennedy Space Center, US Coast Guard. officials said Sunday.

On Monday, the officials had 37 boats looking as well as 6 planes. About 5,000 square miles of water were searched Monday, according to the Jacksonville Fire Department.

At around 11 am on Monday, a civilian discovered a sea fishing bag about 50 nautical miles east of St. Augustine, officials said. The family confirmed that the bag belonged to McCluney.

PHOTO: Brian McCluney and Justin Walker are represented in undated photos. Port Canaveral / Twitter
Brian McCluney and Justin Walker are represented in undated photos.

Research efforts will be intensified Tuesday in the area where the bag was found. The authorities are asking all those who have a boat that can travel 30 to 50 miles offshore to help with the search.

Meanwhile, the wife of one of the missing men talks about the circumstances surrounding the men's situation.

Stephanie McCluney, wife of Brian McCluney, has expressed concern – and determination – to the local ABC station in Jacksonville, Florida, WJXX.

"It was supposed to be a pretty short day on the water," she said. "I gave them until 18 hours maybe because the fishing was good." But at 6 o'clock, I did not hear and I could still see that he was not reading my messages – they had not even been delivered yet … at 8 pm We called the Coast Guard.

PHOTO: Stephanie Young McCluney, wife of Brian McCluney, one of two missing boaters, is accompanied by supporters to Jetty Park on August 18, 2019, to pray and search for clues about missing sailors who have left Port Canaveral two days earlier.Tim Short / Florida Today via Imagn
Stephanie Young McCluney, wife of Brian McCluney, one of two missing boaters, is accompanied by supporters at Jetty Park on August 18, 2019, to pray and search for clues in search of missing sailors who have left Port Canaveral two days earlier.

One of the main reasons McCluney and Walker were taking the fishing boat for the day was to honor Brian McCluney's recently departed father.

"[Brian] wanted these lines to be wet again. You know, one last big run for his dad and it was supposed to be a big day in his honor … he was excited to go out on the water, "said Stephanie McCluney.

Instead, the day ended with the establishment of a massive research team for the two missing men.

About 50 firefighters from the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Service joined the Coast Guard in search of missing firefighters, crossing the waters between Daytona Beach and Vilano aboard 11 boats over the weekend.

PHOTO: A friend comforts Stephanie Young McCluney, right, wife of Brian McCluney, one of two missing boaters, at Jetty Park, Port Canaveral, Florida on August 18, 2019.Tim Shortt / Florida Today via Imagn
A friend comforts Stephanie Young McCluney, right, wife of Brian McCluney, one of two missing boaters, at Jetty Park, Port Canaveral, Florida, on August 18, 2019.

Men from the US Navy, the Florida Fisheries Department and the Brevard County Sheriff's Office were also looking for men. The Coast Guard has also deployed a C-130 aircraft to conduct aerial searches.

The search and rescue crews had traveled approximately 24,000 miles of ocean between Port Canaveral and the north end of Jacksonville City, Coast Guard officials said on Twitter Monday morning.

"He was a former military veteran of the Navy. [Search, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape] training, survival training in the navy. Of course, firefighter, paramedic. So, it is built to help people. He was a medical soldier in action during the crossing of Fallujah. So he's the one who builds an iron man, that's him, "said Stephanie McCluney.

PHOTO: A group of supporters reunited with Stephanie Young McCluney, wife of Brian McCluney, one of two missing boaters, at Jetty Park, Port Canaveral, Florida, on August 18, 2019, to pray and search the shoreline looking for clues.Tim Shortt / Florida Today via Imagn
A group of supporters reunited with Stephanie Young McCluney, wife of Brian McCluney, one of two missing boaters, at Jetty Park, Port Canaveral, Florida on August 18, 2019, to pray and search the shoreline in search of 39; indices.

Her confidence in her husband's ability to survive is not based solely on the skills acquired during her career, but also on the faith of her faith.

"I have an army of support.I know the ocean is vast and my God that I serve is bigger.It can change the wind and the waters to its order.I have the I have so many prayer warriors behind me … the fire The ministry has not left my side.I feel so well kept between my spiritual family, my fire family and my family, "said McCluney .

"There are never two people," McCluney said confidently, "I mean these two men are survivors and they'll find their way home."

Bill Hutchinson and Rachel Katz of ABC News contributed to this report.

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