Brian McCluney, a 37-year-old firefighter and Navy veteran from Jacksonville, Florida, disappeared on August 17, 2019, after leaving Port Canaveral for a fishing trip in his 24-foot boat with fellow firefighter Justin Walker. Both men had firefighting experience and survival training; neither returned and their boat was never recovered.

Search efforts by the U.S. Coast Guard and hundreds of volunteers covered thousands of square miles from Florida to Georgia. The only physical item found was a tackle bag belonging to McCluney, floating about 50 miles off the coast of St. Augustine. The Coast Guard suspended its formal search on August 22, 2019. McCluney’s family noted the boat had had mechanical problems in the past and the firefighting community has continued memorials and charity work in his name.

If anyone was on or near the water between Port Canaveral and the St. Augustine area on August 17, 2019, or has information about the trip, please come forward.