Mystery as three friends vanish during deep sea fishing trip 80 miles off coast
A desperate search has been launched after three friends went missing during a deep sea fishing trip off the coast.
The trio - who have been identified as Dalton Conway, Caleb Wilkinson, and Tyler Barlow - were set to return to Brunswick on Thursday. Relatives have said they are "sick to the stomach" at the mere thought of what could have happened to the three off the coast of Georgia in the US.
The search has been made all the more difficult because of the lack of solid information about where the missing boat could be. Contact was lost with the vessel on October 14 but the emergency signal, which is sent out when the life raft is released, has not been activated.
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The friends have been missing since last Saturday (WSBTV)
Two of the three are experienced fishermen (WSBTV)Searchers said in a statement they remain "hopeful" the three will be found. Dalton's sister, Stevie Conway, who is also Caleb's girlfriend, told Action News Jax: "It's absolutely terrifying. We are sick to our stomachs."
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She added: "Lots of tears and gatherings. Getting together to try to uplift each other and stay positive whenever we're all wanting to fall apart."
The families of the missing men are getting desperate (WSBTV)The three have been known to extend their fishing trips to maximise their catch. Relatives are hoping they are lost out there at sea.
Ms Conway said: "We're just continuing to stay positive throughout all this and hoping that the Coast Guard calls us with some kind of good, positive news at some point."
The boat is the 31-foot Carol Anne, and is well equipped for sea voyages. Dalton and Tyler are also professional fishermen who regularly take these kinds of trips.
A complex map shows the search efforts of those looking for the men (USCGSoutheast/Twitter)But for Caleb it is the first trip of this kind and his brother spoke out about his inexperience. He reportedly only decided to take up deep-sea fishing recently and took a job with Dalton.
Caleb's brother, Cameron Wilkinson, told ABC News: "Caleb's always been very cautious about everything he's done, and if he wasn't comfortable with Dalton and going out there, then he wouldn't have done it in the first place.
The missing vessel the Carol Anne (USCGSoutheast/Twitter)"We're all hoping they're just drifting off and trying to figure out what to do. We have no idea what's going on. Honestly, we're just hoping that they come home."
The Coast Guard have said 16 planes and USCG stations from Miami to North Carolina are helping to look for the three.
Speaking to ABC, Coast Guard Sector Charleston Lieutenant Commander Jason Erickson stated that the boat was well-equipped with life vests, a satellite, and emergency beacons but none have been activated. He said: "We have not received any beacons that have gone off. That's a reason to be hopeful."
Officials have pledged to continue the search on sunrise Tuesday.
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