NEW YORK – The Coast Guard has suspended the search for a missing swimmer of Jones Beach, N.Y., pending further developments.
The missing swimmer, a 23-year-old male, was with two friends when they were reportedly separated by a large wave around 8 p.m. Wednesday. The other swimmers made it to shore and contacted authorities.
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Sailfish, rescue boat crews from Coast Guard Station Jones Beach, rescue helicopter crews from Coast Guard air stations Cape Cod and Atlantic City, and helicopter and boat crews from the Nassau County Police conducted searches totaling 85 square miles. Coast Guard assets remained on scene overnight.
“It is always difficult when we decide to suspend a search,” said Mark Averill, Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound’s search and rescue coordinator. “We saturated the area with assets while working with our port partners, and were unable to locate the missing swimmer, unfortunately. Our hearts go out to the family during this difficult time.”
Even though air temperatures are warm, water temperatures are still cold. The Coast Guard is urging boaters and swimmers to be careful while out on the water as hypothermia can set in quickly.
Weather on scene was reported to be four-foot seas and a water temperature of 58 degrees at the time of the incident.
