SAVANNAH, Tenn. (AP) -- Tennessee's wildlife agency says three boaters who have been missing for several days after participating in a weekend fishing tournament are no longer believed to be alive.
Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency spokeswoman Amy Snider-Spencer said in a Facebook message Wednesday that the search for two 15-year-old boys and a 43-year-old man has moved from a rescue operation to a recovery effort.
The three went missing Saturday on Pickwick Lake, Snider-Spencer said. They were not reported missing until Sunday evening.
Agency rescue crews and volunteers concentrated their search for the missing boaters on a 14-mile (23-kilometer) stretch of the Tennessee River. Their 20-foot (6-meter) bass boat was found Monday morning on the Tennessee River below Pickwick Dam near Savannah, officials said.
Extensive damage to the boat, high water flows, and low water and air temperatures "have led us to believe there is no chance of survival," Snider-Spencer said.
Lakes, rivers and streams throughout West Tennessee have seen very high water levels and strong currents due to heavy rains in February. Flooding has led to some evacuations of residents in the Savannah area.
Twenty boats are searching for the boaters between the dam and Savannah Bridge, Snider-Spencer said. More than 35 boats and 100 volunteers have participated in the search.
Obion County Director of Schools Tim Watkins has told news outlets that the three were part of a high school fishing team and had been on the water Saturday for the tournament.
Watkins said their boat was having engine problems before the competition started.