Houston's sister, Kristy Finstad, disappeared in the fire of a boat in California

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) – The brother of a 41-year-old missing marine biologist, who was aboard a dive boat when he caught fire, thanks his friends and community for their awesome support while the family is waiting for an update on their loved one.

"Anyone knows that Kristy knows that she has a big heart," said Brett Harmeling, brother of Kristy Finstad. "She's just a go-getter."

Early Monday morning, a chartered dive boat carrying 39 passengers caught fire while it was anchored in the water off the south coast of California.

RELATED: Santa Cruz students, Fremont teacher among the victims of a boat fire on the coast of SoCal

Crew members and people attending a dive excursion, including Kristy.

"All his life has been an adventure," said Brett.

MISSING: KRISTY FINSTAD

Five people managed to escape the fire, leaving 34 people on board the ship when it was burning.

SEE ALSO: Boat fire on the island of Santa Cruz: inside the design

Human remains have been found, but Kristy, an experienced diver, is still considered missing. An investigation into the causes of the fire is underway.

At a press conference Tuesday morning, the crews announced that they were performing a search and rescue mission to locate the deceased's bodies.

"My parents called me Monday morning and said," Brett, we do not have very good news, "he said.

The man told ABC13 that he was supposed to be aboard the boat, also explaining that his sister had a job available and then asked him to join him, but he could not.

"I was shocked when they told me my sister was on the boat," said Brett.

RELATED: The presumed death toll reaches 34 while the search is suspended for survivors of a boat fire near Santa Cruz Island

According to her brother, the woman has plunged thousands of times and traveled to more than 100 countries.

Support from friends and community has been felt as the family waits for the investigators to talk about Kristy.

"However, we will progress, depending on the situation, we will be managed in a healthy and clean way as a family," he said.

SEE ALSO: 4 bodies found after the fire of a boat on the south coast of California

Follow Charly Edsitty on Facebook and Twitter.