PHILADELPHIA — The Coast Guard suspended its search efforts at 11:11 p.m. Saturday for a man who went missing near the Trenton boat ramp after he was ejected from a jet ski.
Missing is Jesus Diaz Melendez, 26, of Trenton, New Jersey.
The initial report came from the vessel A.J. Meerwald when the crew came upon a jet skier who stated he and Melendez ran aground while riding the jet ski, which ejected both of them.
“The Coast Guard and other agencies saturated the search area, but unfortunately was unable to locate the missing man,” said Chief Warrant Officer Jacob Gerasimof, the command duty officer during the case. “It is always a difficult decision to suspend a search for a confirmed person in the water. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the loved ones affected by this terrible tragedy.”
Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay watchstanders launched a Coast Guard Station Philadelphia 29-foot response boat crew and a Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew to respond. The boat crew picked up the jet skier who confirmed his friend was ejected from the jet ski.