DAUPHIN ISLAND — Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch confirmed to 1819 News a vessel has been found about a mile off the coast of Dauphin Island.
Search crews from multiple agencies have been searching for a boat and seven-year-old Hunter Slezak since Friday.
The bodies of the child's father, Mike Slezak, and his friend, Sam Wooley, were found Saturday.
The three embarked on a shrimping trip Friday and never returned.
Investigators confirmed the boat is the 20-foot Cuddy Cabin.
"It's too early to know right now if there was a crash or what happened," Burch said. "I will say that we have located a vessel and our divers are in the water right now trying to verify what they can with it and it's in the general area of where we think they were last seen."
After the U.S. Coast Guard called off the search, the Mobile County Sheriff's Office began its search and on day three and discovered what appeared to be a vessel about 10 and a half feet deep off the eastern side of the island.
RELATED: Mobile County Sheriff's Office continues search for 7-year-old off Dauphin Island
Burch said it is personally important for him to do all he can to bring the child home to his mother.
"Finding him would give some peace and knowing that he can be given a proper burial, you know along with his father," Burch said. "It doesn't bring you know, the child back, but at least it can bring some peace to knowing where he is."
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), the Monroe County Dive, Search and Rescue team, Saraland Dive Team, Mobile Police, the United Cajun Navy and other agencies were on the scene when the vessel was found Wednesday afternoon.
Burch said the child has not been found, and the search is now considered a recovery effort and not a rescue effort due to the time that has passed and the water temperature.
The vessel is located about a mile off the coast. The bodies of Slezak and Wooley were found about nine miles off the coast.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to assist the Slevak family.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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