ABC News August 22, 2019

Coast Guard suspends search for firefighters who went missing off Florida coast

WATCH: Search expands for firefighters lost at sea

The search for two firefighters who went missing during a fishing trip off the coast of Florida last week was suspended on Thursday night, officials announced.

Jacksonville, Florida, firefighter Brian McCluney and Fairfax, Virginia, firefighter Justin Walker never returned after launching off the coast of Port Canaveral, near the Kennedy Space Center, on Friday, according to U.S. Coast Guard officials.

(MORE: Officials to reevaluate search for missing firefighters off Florida coast after 6th day)

Search and rescue teams continued to look for the pair on Thursday, but U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Mark Vlaun told reporters at a news conference that the search would conclude at sundown and not extend into an eighth day.

Port Canaveral/Twitter
Brian McCluney and Justin Walker are pictured in undated handout photos.

Because of the strength of the Gulf Stream, the search area currently exceeds 105,000 square miles -- from Florida to several hundred miles off the coast of New England, Vlaun said, adding that officials are no longer able to look for the men with a "probability of success."

"I'm no longer able to pinpoint a specific location," Vlaun said.

(MORE: 'Race against time': Search for missing firefighters off coast of Florida remains rescue operation)

Searchers were not able to find any additional evidence after a fishing bag that belonged to McCluney was found by a civilian about 50 nautical miles east of St. Augustine, Florida, about 100 miles north from where the pair set off, Vlaun said.

The 24-foot boat they left on also has not been found.

U.S. Coast Guard
The Coast Guard along with partner agencies are searching for two overdue boaters after they did not return from a fishing trip near Port Canaveral, Fla., Aug. 17, 2019. Brian McCluney and Justin Walker, were last seen departing the 300 Christopher Columbus boat ramp on Aug. 16, 2019.

Vlaun described the announcement to end the search as "the hardest decision any Coast Guard leader makes," but added that the Coast Guard would resume operations if new information emerged.

"If some further clue opens up, we would restart the search and rescue process," he said.

(MORE: Bag found by searchers looking for Florida firefighters who vanished on fishing trip)

The family has been informed of the decision, Vlaun said.

"We just have to continue to pray alongside the family that we learn something going forward that will allow us to respond again," he said.