2 missing boaters believed dead in central Florida

OVIEDO, Fla. – State wildlife officials say two boaters who went missing on a central Florida lake are likely dead.

Jason Cobb of Osteen and Charles Jackson of Deltona were reported missing Saturday after they failed to return from an early morning fishing trip on Lake Jesup.

Lt. Jeff Hudson of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said Monday that the search for the men had turned into a recovery mission.

Authorities previously said it appeared that the men had been thrown from their boat. The 15-foot boat was found undamaged. Hudson said investigators "have nothing to suggest they survived this incident."

Wildlife officials say the shallow lake is home to a large alligator population, though temperatures have been too cold for the reptiles to be very active.