Twelve-year-old James Matthew Meulemans II vanished during a family fishing trip off Florida on December 20, 1987. He, his father James Meulemans Sr., Captain John DeGoes and another man, Frank Doherty, left Port Canaveral in a 21-foot Chris Craft and were expected back that night; the boat never returned.

Captain DeGoes’ body was found December 26 about 12 miles off Daytona Beach, and Meulemans Sr.’s body washed ashore in January 1988. Despite extensive searches, neither James Jr., Frank Doherty, nor the boat were ever located. Investigators noted the puzzling lack of any distress signal given calm weather, an experienced captain, and an onboard radio. James was described as vibrant, intelligent and happy and loved fishing.

Anyone with memories of that trip, the area off Port Canaveral or information about the missing boat is asked to come forward.