NEW YORK – The search for a boater who has been missing since 9:30 p.m. yesterday was suspended around 4:40 p.m. today.
Edward Latz Sr., 65, was reported missing by his son after the man did not return from a fishing trip. The man’s vehicle and trailer were located at Sewaren Marina in Sewaren, N.J.
A Coast Guard rescue jet located a vessel matching the description of the overdue boat adrift 20 miles south of East Rockaway, N.Y., around 7:30 a.m.
A wallet belonging to Latz, as well as various articles of clothing, were found on the vessel after it was inspected by a Coast Guard Station Jones Beach rescue boat crew.
“Due to current weather conditions and the drop in water temperature, survivability in this area has been greatly reduced,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Joaquin Alayola, a search and rescue coordinator at Coast Guard Sector New York. “It is always a good idea to go out with a friend and carry survival gear to better your chances of being rescued if something happens.”
Two Coast Guard rescue boat crews were launched from Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook, as well as rescue helicopter crews from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City and Cape Cod. Coast Guard cutters Tybee and Bainbridge Island conducted offshore searches throughout the day.
A New York City Police Department helicopter crew and the Sandy Hook Park Police also assisted in the search.
The case has been suspended pending further developments.
