BRUNSWICK, GEORGIA: The search for Georgia men Dalton Conway, Caleb Wilkinson, and Tyler Barlow has been suspended by the Coast Guard after they went missing during a deep sea fishing trip off the Georgia coast.
On Thursday, October 26, the Coast Guard stated that during the search for the three friends, "crews searched more than 94,000 square miles, an area larger in size than the states of Georgia and South Carolina combined, over the span of seven days."
Why was the search suspended?
Commander of Coast Guard Sector Charleston, Capt. Frank DelRosso said, "Despite the unwavering dedication of our crews, regrettably, we have not been able to uncover any traces of the vessel and have made the difficult decision to suspend the search for three beloved family members."
The Carol Anne vessel's owner said his hired crew had not returned. He reported the trio's missing on October 18, the day they were expected to return, according to the agency's previous press release.
The 31-foot fishing vessel's owner previously stated that the trio sometimes "extends fishing trips to maximize their catch."
However, he decided to report them missing after he grew concerned about being unable to communicate with the three men for six days.
The family was outraged that the Coast Guard suspended the search
Speaking to CBS affiliate WJAX-TV, Wilkinson's girlfriend said it was his first fishing trip. Both Conway and Barlow regularly took these trips, said Conway's sister, Stevie Conway.
According to First Coast News, two people reported spotting the Carol Anne vessel on Wednesday, October 25, and Thursday, October 26, respectively. However, since Saturday, October 21, the vessel's communication device has been down.
Thanking the agencies and volunteers who took part in the search, DelRosso said, "Our heartfelt gratitude to our partner agencies and the countless volunteers who have lent their assistance in this arduous search."
"Undoubtedly, they, like us, share in the deep sympathy we hold for the families of the missing individuals."
However, some family members of the missing men are outraged that the Coast Guard has suspended the search.
On Friday, October 27, Barlow's mother, Kimberly Jones, took to Facebook to express her disappointment with the agency's decision.
"With utmost respect, we do not feel that a search and rescue mission ends until these three young men are found or any type of evidence," she wrote.
Meanwhile, Barlow's father said he was hopeful the missing men would survive.
"Tyler will not stop fighting; I don’t think Caleb or Dalton will either. Their chances of survivability are extremely great. We just have to find them," he said.
