Many people may not understand the capability of two young boys who have grown up on the water. Indeed, it might sound strange to many unfamiliar with coastal life, that two 14-year-olds would set out on a fishing trip alone. However, for those of us who grew up on/near the water it’s highly commonplace.

Both were licensed boat operators, both passed USCG license courses and training, both worked jobs in/around the water, and both grew up skilled in boating.

There is still hope.

The two teens lost at sea off the coast of Florida could likely survive about 4 or 5 days in the water in current conditions, a Coast Guard official said today.

They set off from Jupiter inlet, headed toward the Bahamas.  The capsized 19′ boat was found 50 miles due east of Daytona Beach.  The gulf stream obviously pushed the drift North.  After 72 hours, and given currents and strength, they could be as far North as the Carolinas.

On Sunday, the teens’ boat was found capsized and damaged off the coast of the Ponce de Leon Inlet in central Florida, the Coast Guard said, noting that neither boy was in or around the boat.

It’s still unclear why the boat capsized, Fedor said today.

Fedor said, while rescuers were disappointed they didn’t find the boys clinging to the boat, having the vessel validates the Coast Guard’s search strategy that they’re looking in the right area.

The Coast Guard’s search is now focused north of where the boat was found, Fedor said, and the search will continue overnight. By midnight tonight, over 27,000 square miles will be covered in the search, Fedor said — equivalent to the size of West Virginia. (link)

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