By Debbie Carson, Online EditorFORT PIERCE — The U.S. Coast Guard continued its search for two missing boaters from Vero Beach well into the night Monday but have yet to find the men. The search is expected to continue today – more than 24 hours after the men were reported missing. The Coast Guard expanded its search area for the missing boaters who failed to return to port Sunday evening. The missing men have been identified as Vincent Faulkner, 38, and Eric Ross, age unknown, both of Vero Beach, according to a U.S. Coast Guard officer.The search area has been expanded north to Cape Canaveral, according to Petty Officer Barry Bena.The Coast Guard has deployed two helicopters, a jet, a couple small boats crews and a cutter, among other water- and aircraft. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation, too, has assisted in the search.The men launched from the Black Pearl Boat Ramp in Fort Pierce around noon on Sunday and were supposed to return that evening. By 9:30 p.m., the men were reported missing.Petty Officer Bena could not say for sure that the rough weather from Sunday played a role in the men’s disappearance.”We won’t know until, hopefully, we find them,” he said Monday afternoon.Anyone with information should contact the Coast Guard at (305) 415-6800.
