HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. – A father is speaking exclusively to Local 10 News for the first time since his son disappeared at sea.
"I believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that he's out there and he's alive," Philip Cohen said Wednesday.
Cohen is confident that his son, Perry Cohen, who's missing at sea, will soon be found.
"If anybody can survive this, it's my son," he said.
Perry Cohen and his friend, Austin Stephanos, disappeared at sea last Friday while boating in Jupiter. Their capsized boat was recovered Sunday.
The U.S. Coast Guard reported Wednesday night that 39,429 square nautical miles had been covered. The U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force and even private parties have joined in the search.
"I can't tell you how much that means to me," Philip Cohen said.
Thursday marks day six of the search, and there was still no sign of the 14-year-olds, which is even more of a reason Philip Cohen wants rescue teams to keep pressing on.
"I'm pleading for everybody to please continue searching for my boy because he's there and he's waiting," he said.
Howard Talenfeld, a family friend and advocate for Perry, explained that there's still hope.
U.S. COAST GUARD PROGRESS REPORTS: Distance on the Atlantic ocean is measured on square nautical miles.
July 25 a.m. report: 5,300
July 25 p.m. report: 6,200
July 26 a.m. report: 14,447
July 26 p.m. report: 25,000
July 27 a.m. report: 26,000
July 27 p.m. report: 28,127
July 28 p.m. report: 30,992
July 29 p.m. report: 39,429
"There are so many people that have survived in the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, throughout this world for months," Talenfeld said.
Philip Cohen admitted that he feels helpless at times, but he is remaining positive and optimistic through it all. The father pointed out that Perry Cohen isn't the average 14-year-old.
"I know that he would have done everything he can, whether it be grabbing all the life vests, tying them together," Philip Cohen said. "They've got a cooler. That cooler has water in it. There's a seat supposedly that's missing. He would have thought of it."
Philip Cohen shared an emotional message to his only son.
"Stay strong. We're coming for you," he said. "I miss you so much. I love you."
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Map: Austin and Perry go missing