Coast Guard To End Search For Teen Fishermen

The Coast Guard says it will call off its search at sunset for two teenage fishermen who have been missing for a week off Florida.

The decision came after a seventh fruitless night of searching for Perry Cohen and Austin Stephanos - both 14 - after they failed to return from a fishing trip.

Capt Mark Fedor told a Friday noon news conference in Opa-locka, near Miami, it had been a "true all hands on deck effort".

The boys' families said they would continue a private search after the Coast Guard's efforts end.

They were last seen at around 1.30pm last Friday buying fuel for their 19ft boat.

Their capsized vessel was found 67 nautical miles off Florida's coast, officials confirmed on Monday.

Search planes, helicopters, two Coast Guard cutters and smaller boat crews have been involved in the rescue effort.

Austin's mother, Carly Black, told the Palm Beach Post newspaper her son has spent countless hours on boats since he was born and has had his own vessel since he was seven.

"He's always had an amazing love for the water, an amazing respect for the water," she said.

The two teens regularly fish together during the summer months, Ms Black added.