Coast Guard: Debris Found Was Unrelated To Missing Port Canaveral Boaters, Search Continues

PORT CANAVERAL, Florida – Debris located approximately 50 miles east of Jacksonville, Florida believed to be a boat matching the description of the Port Canaveral missing boater’s vessel turned out to be unrelated, the U.S. Coast Guard tweeted in an update at 5:42 p.m. on Sunday, August 18, 2019.

Earlier today, a civilian aircraft reported seeing a boat matching the description of the Port Canaveral missing boater’s vessel and a United States Coast Guard spotted what was believed to be a cooler and life jackets.

However, upon arrival of U.S. Coast Guard vessels to the debris, it was confirmed that the debris was unrelated to the two missing boaters who were last seen in Port Canaveral, Florida on Friday, August 16, 2019, around 11:00 a.m.

The U.S. Coast Guard is now resuming a broader search in the area.

Brian McCluney and Justin Walker are believed to have traveled in a 24-foot center console heading toward “8A” reef about 30 miles off-shore from Port Canaveral, Florida.

The boaters were expected to return to port from their fishing trip around 6:00 p.m. on Friday but never returned.

Coast Guard Station Port Canaveral watchstanders were notified by a family member of the boaters not returning as expected Friday evening..

The U.S. Coast Guard is asking anyone out on the water who has any information related to the missing boaters to please call the United States Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville Command Center at 904-714-7558.