NEW YORK – The Coast Guard suspended the search for two people in the water at sunset, after a tugboat struck a barge and sank near the Tappan Zee Bridge Saturday morning.
Coast Guard and partner agency crews searched the area for more than 12 Hours in a joint effort to locate the two missing people in the water.
“The suspension of an active search and rescue case without definitive resolution is a very difficult decision to make,” said Mr. Rodger Krass, Sector New York search and rescue mission coordinator. “There were many assets from various agencies searching by air and by sea but, pending further developments, we have decided to suspend the active search. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families.”
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New York received notification at 5:20 a.m., Saturday of the 84-foot tugboat Specialist, striking a barge and sinking with three people aboard near the Tappan Zee Bridge.
Coast Guard Station New York launched a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium boatcrew to search for the three people in the water.
At approximately 5:30 a.m. one person was recovered by a first responder in the area and transported the person ashore to awaiting EMS crews.
The following search-and-rescue units and crews assisted with the search:
A 45-foot Response Boat-Medium rescue crew from Coast Guard Station New York
- New York Police Department Aviation Division
- New York Police Department Harbor Division
- Rockland County Police and Fire Department crews
- Westchester County Police and Fire Department crews
- New York State Police Department crews
- Tarrytown Fire Department