NEW YORK — The Coast Guard rescued a 19 year-old boater, who had been reported missing the evening before, off the coast of Sandy Hook, New Jersey, Wednesday.
At approximately 9:40 p.m., Tuesday, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New York command center in Staten Island, New York, received a report from the Highlands Police Department, that a recreational craft with one person aboard had not made it to their destination in Highlands, New Jersey.
Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook launched a rescue boatcrew and Sector New York issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast notice to mariners.
Other local agencies involved with the search included:
New York Fire Department Marine unitsNew York Police Department Aviation and Marine unitsAtlantic Highlands Fire DepartmentUnion Beach Fire DepartmentKey Port Fire DepartmentKeansburg Fire DepartmentAfter completing several searches throughout the night along with the other involved agencies, the Coast Guard rescue boatcrew conducted a first light search.
At approximately 6:29 a.m., the rescue boatcrew located and rescued the operator from the water, and found that he was conscious and responsive but exhibited signs of dehydration and hypothermia.
The boatcrew transported the boater to Station Sandy Hook in Sandy Hook, New Jersey, where emergency medical services and the man’s family were waiting to transfer him to Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, New Jersey.
“This is why we search, even when the odds are against us,” said Capt. Thomas Morkan, the deputy commander of Sector New York. “You simply never know when fate or luck has intervened to keep someone alive long past the time that logic dictates otherwise. This is a good day for all of us in the search and rescue community.”
Each year, Coast Guard crews in the Northeast conduct 2,500 search and rescue cases and save 350 lives. With more than 2,000 miles of shoreline to guard, First Coast Guard District crews remind boaters to wear their lifejackets and be prepared with all required safety gear. For more information, visit www.uscgboating.org <http://www.uscgboating.org/>