Brazil ? Rescuers scoured the waters off Brazil’s southern Atlantic coast on Tuesday looking for a Roman Catholic priest who disappeared after floating into the sky strapped to hundreds of helium party balloons.

The Rev. Adelir Antonio di Carli lifted off from the port city of Paranagua on Sunday afternoon wearing a helmet, aluminum thermal flight suit, waterproof coveralls and parachute in a bid to break a record for the longest time in-flight with party balloons.

He was reported missing about eight hours later after losing contact with port authority officials. A cluster of colored balloons was found Tuesday night, floating intact in the sea off Brazil’s southern Santa Catarina state near di Carli’s last contact point, according to a photograph posted on Sao Paulo’s UOL news Web site.

Hopes are still high for the priest’s survival. Di Carli, who has taken jungle survival and mountain climbing courses, was carrying enough drinking water and cereal bars to stay alive for at least five days.