news.

Brothers Randy (Scorcher) Outerbridge, 30, and Jeffrey (Jakes) Outerbridge, 25, and their friend Geaige Minks, 26, have been missing since they set off on a fishing trip on Tuesday morning.

A huge search, involving aircraft and boats, has failed to find the 21-foot Cutty Cabin, Simply Red .

Uncle of the Outerbridge brothers and spokesman for the families, Mr.

Custerfield Crockwell said they now wanted some news.

Former Police inspector Mr. Crockwell said: "Both families are very upset. We just want to hear something, one way or the other. Obviously, we would like to get good news.

"While nothing is found there is still a chance that they have been picked up by some foreign boat.'' Mr. Crockwell said that Jakes was a regular fisherman. He said that Scorcher had bought the boat recently for pleasure trips. He said both were good sailors and strong swimmers.

They had been friends of Mr. Minks since childhood, having grown up together in Cedar Hill.

Mr. Crockwell said: "I do not know too much about Geaige but I know that Randy and Jeffrey were both nice guys.

"I saw Randy on Monday and he waved. At that moment I never thought 24 hours later we would be worrying about his whereabouts.'' He said that it was a terrible shock for the family coming after the deaths of three close relatives. The brothers' mother Mrs. Verona Outerbridge was visiting her sisters in Washington when the boat was first reported missing.

"I broke the news to my sister over the phone and she flew home. Obviously she was very upset with the recent deaths and now this happens,'' said Mr.

Crockwell.

"The customs and immigration people at the Airport were particularly kind.

They let me meet her and get her home as quickly as possible.'' However, he expressed annoyance at ZBM TV for releasing the names of the three men before Mrs. Outerbridge had arrived home. The families have demanded an apology.

Mr. Crockwell also praised the efforts of Harbour Radio, the Marine Police, the US Navy and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Parks, who have all been involved in the search for Simply Red .

"All the people involved have done everything in their powers to find the boys. Any criticism has only upset the families.'' Harbour Radio said that the search had been a lot easier since the high winds and torrential rain of the past few days ended.

The search will continue today involving the US Navy Hercules which had engine problems yesterday and had to return to base after completing 75 percent of its search.

The searchers spotted a number of items including a refrigerator and a fluorescent light bulb but were not certain if they came from Simply Red .

STILL MISSING -- Brothers Mr. Randy (Scorcher) Outerbridge and Mr. Jeffrey (Jakes) Outbridge.