UPDATED 08/01/15
The Coast Guard concluded its search efforts on Friday at sunset but private efforts continue this morning (Saturday, August 1, 2015) by air and by sea to find Florida teens, Austin Stephanos and Perry Cohen, both 14. The pair disappeared on Friday, July 24, 2015 after embarking for a fishing trip. Their 19-foot boat was found capsized on Sunday, July 26, 2016.
Fundraising to support the private search efforts can be found at www.gofundme.com/perryandaustin. So far, over $392,000 has been raised over the last four days so the search can continue.
The original story and updates can be found below.
UPDATED 07/30/15
The search for the two Florida teens lost at sea is expected to continue at least through Friday according to Coast Guard officials, reported television station WPBF. Search efforts are taking place from Florida through Charleston for the missing Florida teens, Austin Stephanos and Perry Cohen, both 14. Cohen is the son of Pamela Cohen and step-son of Nick Korniloff. The couple produce art fairs under the umbrella of Art Miami Productions LLC.
Optimism that the teens could be found remains high. Their boat was discovered capsized on Sunday and hope hinges on the unknowns: whether they have life jackets, a cooler or other objects to cling to, the possibility they have access to drinking water or food, the teen's athleticism, and their training and experience as seamen. Numerous experts have cited the fortitude of the human spirit to survive and surmount difficult odds.
WPBF reported that Coast Guard search crews have conducted 53 search patterns covering about 40,000 square-nautical miles, making use of four Coast Guard cutters and two planes.
The families of the boys are asking pilots with multi-engine aircraft to help if they are able to because they can fly further distances. People with multi-engine aircrafts are asked to call Jorge Gonzales at 561-891-7272.
ORIGINAL STORY BELOW
Published 07/29/15
Search efforts continue into the sixth day on Wednesday to find two Florida teens whose boat captized in the Atlantic Ocean near Daytona Beach, FL. The boys, Austin Stephanos and Perry Cohen, both 14, were last seen on Friday, July 24, buying fuel for their 19-foot boat in the Jupiter, FL area. They were reported missing Friday night with search efforts beginning soon after, according to AP reports.
Pamela Cohen and Nick Korniloff attend a party in Southampton in 2013.
Perry Cohen is the son of Pamela Cohen and stepson of Nick Korniloff. The couple produce art fairs under the umbrella of Art Miami Productions LLC including Art Miami, Art Southampton, Context, Aqua, Art Wynwood and others. Cohen is the Director of Marketing, Sponsorships and VIP Relations and Korniloff is fair director.
Prayer vigils have been held in Florida and social media campaigns waged for assistance while the coast guard continues its search for the teens. The search was widened on Tuesday to include the Georgia coast, according to The New York Times. So far, The search has covered about 30,000 square nautical miles of ocean, reported the New York Times.
According to various media outlets, there is still reason for optimism. The boys are both experienced seaman according their parents, reported AP.
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Austin Stephanos and Perry Cohen. Courtesy U.S. Coast Guard
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