Wednesday will be critical in the ongoing search for two firefighters lost at sea.
As crews begin their fifth day of searching, the U.S. Coast Guard says it's a race against time and the search area is getting broader, according to WJCT News partner News4Jax.
With no major clues found on Tuesday, the search on Wednesday will stretch north, where the Gulf Stream current would take a stranded boat or anyone in the water.
"The biggest challenge we have is the current. It really expands our search zone. Without additional clues, the area to search becomes really vast," U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Mark Vlaun said late Tuesday.
Vlaun said any clue in the water - like the tackle bag found Monday - would help rescuers narrow their search.
“By finding anything in this area or by finding anything at all, it allows us to kind of focus those efforts, whereas without additional clues, the area becomes really vast very fast," Vlaun said.
Dozens of boaters lined up once again at sunrise Wednesday to begin another day searching for Brian McCluney, who works for the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, and Justin Walker, a firefighter from Fairfax, Virginia.
Volunteers with boats that can go 60 miles offshore are being asked to leave out of Mayport, Brunswick, and Savannah on Wednesday, as the search area expands north.
For expanded coverage of the search visit WJCT News partner News4Jax.com.
