NEW YORK-The Coast Guard continues to search for a boater who fell from a sailboat Sunday, off Larchmont, N.Y.
The man reportedly went overboard when the sailboat he was on was affected by a squall.
The 30-year-old man was training on the 23-foot sailboat, along with an instructor and two other individuals, when it reportedly listed 90 degrees due to heavy winds from the squall. The missing man and the instructor fell overboard, the instructor was able to get aboard the sailboat and a personal flotation device was thrown to the man in the water, according to reports.
The man in the water was reportedly not wearing a life jacket. The flotation device thrown to him has since been recovered.
A rescue boat crew from Coast Guard Station Kings Point searched throughout the night, and another crew is on-scene searching today. At first light a rescue helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City also searched and the Westchester County Sheriff’s Office also joined the search today.
The search area spans from City Island, N.Y., to Matinecock Point, N.Y.
The Coast Guard urges all boaters to take the appropriate safety precautions before and while underway. Weather changes faster than many boaters anticipate at sea – if it looks as if a storm is approaching, boaters should monitor marine band radio for safety advisories and head to the nearest safe haven if necessary. Boaters should always wear life jackets and bring the necessary safety gear for a boating trip: a radio, cellular phone, sound-producing device and flares drastically increase the safety level of a boating trip. Filing a float plan with friends or family that details where you are going and when you plan to be back will allow agencies to respond quickly if you do not return during the expected time.
