ISLAMORADA, Fla. – The parents of documentary filmmaker Rob Stewart are holding onto hope that their son, who vanished Tuesday afternoon while diving in the Florida Keys, will be found alive.
"If anybody's going to survive out there, it's going to be Rob," Sandy Stewart said about her son. "We just have to find him."
The 37-year-old Toronto man was in the Keys working on a sequel to his award-winning documentary, "Sharkwater," which focuses on the controversial shark finning business, when he disappeared near Alligator Reef.
"He's a really strong swimmer and he's an excellent, you know, superb diver," Sandy Stewart said.
His parents flew in from Canada to be closer to the search scene.
Witnesses said they saw Rob Stewart resurface after the dive, but as the boat turned around to pick him up, he disappeared back under the water.
"It's been really tough, but the amazing thing is all the support he's been getting from everyone," Brain Stewart said about his son. "From all over the world, people have been sending their best wishes. It's been constant."
The U.S. Coast Guard is leading the search effort and has been in touch with Rob Stewart’s family.
"Our thoughts and prayers to Mr. Stewart's family," Petty Officer 3rd Class Eric Woodall said. "I know this is a trying time for them."
Brian and Sandy Stewart said the waiting hasn't been easy.
"This is the hardest part, is not knowing," Brain Stewart said.