Coast Guard ends search for missing Florida teens

MIAMI: The US Coast Guard said Friday it is ending its search for two Florida teens who went missing after setting off on a fishing trip one week ago.
Austin Stephanos and Perry Cohen, both 14, cast off last Friday from Jupiter, Florida, in a 19-foot (six-meter) white single-engine boat and have not been seen since.
Authorities found the boat two days later, but so far have found no trace of the missing boys.
"We have made the decision that we will suspend at sunset tonight," Captain Mark Fedor of the US Coast Guard told reporters.
"If new information comes to light we have the ability to reopen the case."
Fedor said the move to close the case was "excruciating and gut-wrenching" and sent his condolences to the families of the missing teens.
The parents of Stephanos and Cohen said they would continue to look for the boys and promised a cash reward if they are found.
"We are continuing the search for Perry and Austin and not giving up until they are rescued," their families said in a statement.
"The next 48 hours are critical and the family and friends are offering US$100,000 for the safe return of these boys."
Search efforts covered an area just shy of 50,000 square nautical miles (92,000 square kilometers) from Jupiter Inlet to Cape Hatteras off the coast of North Carolina.
Several groups were involved in the hunt for the teenagers, including the Department of Homeland Security, the State Department, local authorities and civilian volunteers.
The boys bought US$110 of fuel before casting off with a plan to go to the Bahamas but were not seen again, sparking days of tearful appeals from their families and candlelight vigils by Jupiter residents. – AFP