JACKSONVILLE, Fla.-- The family of a Florida fireman missing at sea is thanking the public for helping them with the massive rescue effort.
Last week, Brian McCluney and Justin Walker left for a fishing trip out of Port Canaveral and never returned. Thousands of volunteers searched by land and sea for the two missing men over a period of six days.
"No effort was spared, no stone left unturned during the search," Brian's brother Kevin McCluney said.
On Thursday at dusk, the active search was called off.
"I believe in a God of miracles. We know that he's parted waters and seas. Then, I also have two children to think about; that I need to give them some answers. So, I will always have hope. My hope lies in Jesus. I know that there will be a reunion, whether it is here or whether it is in eternity. This is a brief moment. Eternity is forever, Brian's wife Stephanie said.
"The massive rescue effort that involved so many good people is the finest testament to Brian and Justin I could imagine," said Kevin McCluney.
"This experience, although tragic and heartbreaking, is the perfect representation of the power of people coming together for a common cause. Our community, and beyond our community, we've seen togetherness, generosity and kindness -- all the things that Brian embodied. I will never have the appropriate words to say thank you to the thousands of people who searched for my son and the millions of prayers for my son," said his mother Carla McCluney.