BRUNSWICK, Ga. — A Georgia family’s quest to locate their missing son and two friends is intensifying.
On October 14, Dalton Conway, Caleb Wilkinson, and Tyler Barlow embarked on a fishing expedition from a Brunswick dock but failed to return. Despite the initial search efforts by the U.S. Coast Guard, the operation was terminated after seven days.
Desperate to find their loved ones, Tyler Barlow’s family has taken matters into their own hands by hiring a private plane and a team of photographers to aid in the search. This endeavor comes with a substantial financial burden, but the United Cajun Navy, a nonprofit organization, has stepped in to assist.
Rather than deploying their own aircraft, the United Cajun Navy has initiated a fundraising campaign to help defray the expenses associated with the family’s private search. Brian Trascher, a representative of the organization, explained their approach.
“We knew that the family had contracted a private aircraft. So, instead of dispatching our own planes at this time, we launched a fundraiser to provide financial support for their aircraft costs,” said Trascher.
The United Cajun Navy has an extensive network of boaters and pilots across the nation, and they are leveraging these connections to raise awareness and gather information.
“We urge everyone to remain vigilant for signs of distress, such as flares or distressed vessels, which could aid in the search,” Trascher emphasized.
There is a consensus between the family of Tyler Barlow and Trascher that it is likely the boat, known as the Carol Ann, experienced mechanical issues and drifted northward into the Gulfstream. As a result, the focus has shifted to locating the vessel in the area off the coast of D.C. and New England.
“We believe that if the boat became disabled, which is probable, and drifted north, it would be more effective to establish a search pattern in that region,” Trascher stated.
The family of Tyler Barlow plans to launch their plane on Wednesday, heading all the way up to Ocean City, Maryland, in pursuit of any leads.
“We must maintain our hope and prayers for any sign of life in the coming days,” Trascher remarked.
It’s important to note that the aircraft being used by Tyler Barlow’s family for the extended search comes at a daily cost of $27,000.