Furious mum says 'they're out there we know it' in plea as lads vanish at sea

28 October 2023 , 19:59

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The coast guard called the search complicated due to incomplete knowledge of the kids' wherabouts (Image: USCGSoutheast/Twitter)

Three teen boys vanished 80 miles offshore on a fishing trip days ago - and their furious parents say they've had to take up rescue search efforts on their own to find them.

The trio - who have been identified as Dalton Conway, Caleb Wilkinson, and Tyler Barlow - were set to return to Brunswick on Thursday but never showed up. The parents of Dalton Conway and Tyler Barlow posted on Facebook that they suspected the teens were still out there and that they had reports of a flare out on the water in the area the boys were supposed to be.

They wrote: "I, Tyler Barlow’s mother, just spoke to the Coast Guard at 7:21 a.m. 10/28. Despite the flare reportings last night off of the Delaware Coast, the Coast Guard did not send out any boats, planes, etc. They 'looked into it and reached out to the commercial marine traffic that was in the area, and there were no reports of anything.' This could have been our boys, but no true search was conducted last night.

A group of friends are missing after a deep sea fishing excursion off the coast of Georgia - sparking a frantic search by the US Coast Guard 80 miles offshore (WSBTV)

Nearly a week later, family and friends have still not heard a word - with the Coast Guard now calling the search 'complicated' (WSBTV)

"There was no update from the Coast Guard. Rather, the call this morning was one I started. I was the one who reached out to them. After staying up all night anticipating an update, there was nothing.

"We need MASSIVE PRAYERS at this time. Please pray for our boys. They are out there and we know it. Our boys are trying to tell us that they are there and we have no doubt."

Nicola Bulley's children 'cried their eyes out' after being told 'mummy's lost'

Two of the three are experienced fishermen (WSBTV)

The parents then began to collect money on GoFundMe, to expand rescue efforts on their own. The profile on the fundraising site reads: "The initial report was that Coast Guard efforts would cease after 72 hours, but the USCG has promised to continue their search for another day as they continue to look via air/mariner efforts."

They added that the "US Navy is volunteering their services starting tomorrow, 10/24/23, for continued efforts. Family has asked for continued prayers for the boys to be found safe and for answers. This GoFundMe was created for the potential additional resources the Barlow family may need to continue the search. Family is not giving up hope or efforts."

Dalton Conway, Caleb Wilkinson, and Tyler Barlow - have been lost since October 14 (WSBTV)

An update on Facebook from this weekend said that the fundraiser reached its initial goal and that a private plane is now going out to search for the children. "Chris Barlow, Tyler Barlow’s dad, has organized a plane, along with two photographers, pilot, and a co-pilot to head out this afternoon."

"The purpose of the plane is to further search the waters in order to find our boys. This plane is leaving from Savannah, Georgia at any moment," said the update from the mum's profile.

She added that the parents would be aided by the United Cajun Navy. "They have officially joined the search for our boys. Please share to spread the word. Let’s find our boys TODAY," said the angry mum Kimberly.

Yelena Mandenberg