Coast Guard suspends search for two missing mariners near Rockaways, N.Y.

March 4, 2010

NEW YORK – The Coast Guard has suspended its search for two missing people after a vessel allegedly capsized in the Rockaways near Queens, N.Y., today around 10 a.m.

“The Coast Guard has suspended its search after searching an area of seven-and-a-half-square miles, or all of lower Jamaica Bay,” said Chief Michael Kramer, a watchstander at Coast Guard Sector New York. The search was suspended at 6 p.m. pending further developments.

Students at Beach Channel High School contacted authorities after reportedly watching a vessel capsize in Jamaica Bay with two people onboard.

Two rescue boat crews from Coast Guard Station New York found a capsized 10-foot white and green flat bottom boat with no motor or oars. A rescue helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City also conducted searches from the air. No other debris was located.

It was earlier reported that a Coast Guard crew also discovered a derelict blue and white boat. That information has since been corrected; crews with the New York City Police Department (NYPD) located that boat.

New York City Fire Department surface assets and NYPD aviation units also conducted searches.

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