NEW YORK – The Coast Guard suspended a search at 4 p.m. for a man who reportedly jumped off the 69th Street Pier in Brooklyn, N.Y, this morning.

The initial distress call came in to the Coast Guard Sector New York command center in Staten Island, N.Y., from an eyewitness who allegedly saw the man jump into the water, but was unable to keep him in sight as he drifted south towards the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.  The man is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 45 to 50 years old, with black hair and a black mustache.  He was last seen wearing black clothing and a black winter jacket.

Coast Guard Station New York launched a rescue boat crew at 11:45 p.m. to begin searching.  Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook, N.J., launched an additional rescue boat crew at just after 3:00 a.m. to assist.  

“Coast Guard and local agencies saturated the search area for more than 17 hours covering 61 square miles,” said Paul Avenson, the search and rescue coordinator at Coast Guard Sector New York. “We have decided to suspend our active search, but our vessels will maintain a sharp lookout for any sightings of the missing person."

NYPD and FDNY marine units searched from 69th Street south to the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge on both sides of the Upper Bay.  NYPD aviation units searched from 69th Street south to Gravesend Bay Anchorage. Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, N.J., launched a rescue helicopter crew at 3:00 a.m., which searched for approximately one hour before landing in Newark to refuel, but was grounded due to inclement weather.

View Coast Guard searches for person in the water near Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in a larger map

NEW YORK - The Coast Guard is searching for a man who jumped off the 69th Street Pier in Brooklyn, N.Y., at 11:15 Sunday night.

The call came in to the Coast Guard Sector New York command center in Staten Island, N.Y., from an eyewitness who allegedly saw the man jump into the water, but was unable to keep him in sight as he drifted south towards the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.  The man is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 45 to 50 years old, with black hair and a black mustache.  He was last seen wearing black clothing and a black winter jacket.

Coast Guard Station New York launched a rescue boat crew at 11:45 p.m. to begin searching.  Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook, N.J., launched an additional rescue boat crew at just after 3:00 a.m. to assist.  Both Coast Guard units are continuing their search.

"We have been actively searching for the past 12 hours over a total area of fifty square miles," said Michelle Krupa, a civilian search and rescue controller with Coast Guard Sector New York.

NYPD and FDNY marine units searched from 69th Street south to the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge on both sides of the Upper Bay.  NYPD aviation units searched from 69th Street south to Gravesend Bay Anchorage. Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, N.J., launched a rescue helicopter crew at 3:00 a.m., which searched for approximately one hour before landing in Newark to refuel, but was grounded due to inclement weather.

NEW YORK – McKenna Clark, 4, of Southold, N.Y., peers over her mother’s shoulder while wearing her life jacket during “Wear Your Life Jacket to Work Day,” an event held at Sea Tow International headquarters in Southold, May 18, 2012, to kick off National Safe Boating Week.  National Safe Boating Week takes place annually May 19 - 25 with the mission to encourage safe and responsible boating, which includes the practice of always wearing your life jacket and being alert on the water. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas McKenzie.

NEW YORK – Gail R. Kulp, Executive Director of Sea Tow Services International, demonstrates the inflation of a flotation device during during “Wear Your Life Jacket to Work Day,” an event held at Sea Tow International headquarters in Southold, N.Y., May 18, 2012, to kick off National Safe Boating Week.  National Safe Boating Week takes place annually May 19 - 25 with the mission to encourage safe and responsible boating, which includes the practice of always wearing your life jacket and being alert on the water. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas McKenzie.

NEW YORK – Kent Klayton, of Southold, N.Y., adjusts the lifejacket of his son Michael, 2, during “Wear Your Life Jacket to Work Day,” an event held at Sea Tow International headquarters in Southold, N.Y., May 18, 2012, to kick off National Safe Boating Week.  National Safe Boating Week takes place annually May 19 - 25 with the mission to encourage safe and responsible boating, which includes the practice of always wearing your life jacket and being alert on the water. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1^st Class Thomas McKenzie.

NEW YORK – Laurene Silvani, Lead Representative at Sea Tow Services International, applies temporary lifejacket safety-message tattoos to a group of children during “Wear Your Life Jacket to Work Day,” an event held at Sea Tow International headquarters in Southold, N.Y., May 18, 2012, to kick off National Safe Boating Week.  National Safe Boating Week takes place annually May 19 - 25 with the mission to encourage safe and responsible boating, which includes the practice of always wearing your life jacket and being alert on the water. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas McKenzie.

The public is invited to explore a variety of Coast Guard rescue boats and witness a Coast Guard helicopter from Air Station Atlantic City, N.J., conduct a search and rescue demonstration with a Station New Haven Rescue boat crew.

Also at the open house:

• Local police and fire department units will offer demonstrations of their vehicles and equipment.
• Coast Guard Auxiliary and New Haven Power Squadrons will be available to discuss boating safety and “paddle smart” activities.
• Environmental organizations, such as the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, will be available to discuss issues that affect Long Island Sound.
• A U.S. Air National Guard Black Hawk Helicopter will be on display and the crew will be available to talk to the public.
• There will be a demonstration of the Sealegs rigid-hulled inflatable boat with wheels, by representatives from Firematic, the boat's manufacturer.

WHO: U.S. Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound and partnering agencies

WHAT: Annual open house, admission is free. Participants include: CG Station New Haven, Conn., Air National Guard, New Haven and West Haven Fire Dept., New Haven, Milford and Branford Police Dept., Conn. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, International Ice Patrol, Sea Cadets, USCG Auxiliary and the TSA. 

WHEN: Saturday, May 19, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

WHERE: U.S. Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound

             120 Woodward Ave, New Haven, Conn.

WHY: National Safe Boating Week.

Hot dogs, burgers, chips, sodas and a variety of baked goods will be for sale.

This is a great opportunity for the public to ask questions and learn about the various Coast Guard missions within the Connecticut and Long Island area.  There will be plenty of information to help educate people on how to stay safe on the water this summer.

It is important to note that the Coast Guard does not work alone in its efforts to rescue people in distress and protect the environment.  The open house also serves as a way to maintain and highlight important relationships federal, state and local agencies that participate in search and rescue efforts in the area.

Mariners Guide to the Port of New York and New Jersey PSA

Printable Paddler Safety Checklist 

 NEW YORK - The Coast Guard, along with the National Safe Boating Council, is encouraging boaters to take part in National Safe Boating Week, May 19 - 25, 2012.

The purpose of National Safe Boating Week is to promote safe boating practices for recreational boaters, in an effort to reduce preventable accidents and deaths.

Many people agree riding a bike without a helmet or being in a car without a seatbelt can be risky behavior; however, each year boaters take to the lakes, rivers and seas without wearing the most fundamental element of safe boating – life jackets.

Nationwide, 415 people drowned while not wearing their life jackets during 2011, according to the 2011 Coast Guard Recreational Boating Statistics Report.

The Coast Guard encourages boaters to take a safer approach during the 2012 boating season by ensuring they have a Coast Guard-approved lifejacket and wear it while on the water.  Other safety measures that can save your life are:

• Have your vessel inspected by the Coast Guard Auxiliary or Power Squadron.
• File a float plan with someone who knows when you are leaving and when you plan to be back.
• Make sure you have working sound-producing devices in the event of an emergency in low visibility.
• Ensure flares are up to date and in good working order

For a comprehensive list of boating safety checklists and instructional information, please visit: http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/default.aspx

For more information on life jacket safety as a part of National Safe Boating Week, take a look at the National Safe Boating Council’s website: http://www.safeboatingcampaign.com/

To file an electronic float plan: www.floatplancentral.org

For a vessel safety check, visit the Coast Guard Auxiliary website at: www.safetyseal.net/getvsc/

***Editor's Note***

The Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary will be hosting several events open to the public and media during National Safe Boating Week.

• Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound will host an open house event Saturday, May 19, 2012, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. located at 120 Woodward Ave., Conn. For more information contact Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound at 203-468-4421.
  
• Coast Guard Station Eaton’s Neck will host an open house event Saturday, May 19, 2012, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. located at 12 Lighthouse Road, Northport, N.Y. For more information contact Coast Guard Station Eaton’s Neck at 631-271-2503.
  
• The Coast Guard Auxiliary will provide free vessel examinations and recreational boating safety information May 19 – 20, 2012, from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Round Valley Reservoir, Clinton Township, N.J. and Spruce Run Recreation Area, Clinton, N.J.
  
• The Coast Guard Auxiliary will provide free vessel examinations and recreational boating safety information Saturday, May 19, 2012, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 201 Ellis St, Tottenville Marina, Staten Island, N.Y.
  
• The Coast Guard Auxiliary will provide free vessel examinations and recreational boating safety information Sunday, May 20, 2012, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Great Kills Park boat ramp, Staten Island, N.Y.
  
• The Coast Guard Auxiliary will provide free vessel examinations and recreational boating safety information Saturday, May 26, 2012, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Sea Shore Marina, 591 City Island Ave., Bronx, N.Y., and at Jonny B’s Marina, 567 City Island Ave., Bronx, N.Y.
  
• The Coast Guard Auxiliary will provide free vessel examinations and recreational boating safety information Sunday, May 27, 2012, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the North Minneford Yacht Club, 150 City Island Ave., Bronx, N.Y., and at South Menneford Yacht Club, 148 City Island Ave., Bronx, N.Y., and at Huguenot Yacht Club, Harbor Lane West, New Rochelle, N.Y.

NEW YORK – Ted Williams, Sales and Marine Safety Coordinator with Hercules Securing Lifting and Rigging, demonstrates the proper use of a fire extinguisher during a passenger vessel safety event held at Coast Guard Station Montauk, N.Y., Wednesday, May 17, 2012.  The event was designed to teach basic safety and survival at sea to the captains and crews of local charter fishing vessels. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas McKenzie.

NEW YORK – Ted Williams, Sales and Marine Safety Coordinator with Hercules Securing Lifting and Rigging, demonstrates the proper use of an Electronic Position Indicating Radio Beacon during a passenger vessel safety event held at Coast Guard Station Montauk, N.Y., Wednesday, May 17, 2012.  The event was designed to teach basic safety and survival at sea to the captains and crews of local charter fishing vessels. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas McKenzie.

NEW YORK – Coast Guard Auxiliarist Michael Doherty reviews the procedures of a vessel safety inspection with the captains and crews of vessels during a passenger vessel safety event held at Coast Guard Station Montauk, N.Y., Wednesday, May 17, 2012. The event was designed to teach basic safety and survival at sea to the captains and crews of local charter fishing vessels. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas McKenzie.

NEW YORK – A six-person life raft is inflated for demonstration on the grounds of Coast Guard Station Montauk, N.Y, Wednesday, May 17, 2012, during a passenger vessel safety event held to teach basic safety and survival at sea to the captains and crews of local charter fishing vessels. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas McKenzie.

NEW YORK - Ted Williams, Sales and Marine Safety Coordinator with Hercules Securing Lifting and Rigging, demonstrates the life-saving capabilities of a six-person life raft inflated on the grounds of Coast Guard Station Montauk, N.Y, Wednesday, May 17, 2012.  The demonstration was part of a passenger vessel safety event held to teach basic safety and survival at sea to the captains and crews of local charter fishing vessels. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas McKenzie.

NEW YORK – The Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary and New York Sea Grant program hosted a Safety at Sea training event today at Coast Guard Station Montauk, N.Y.

The event, conducted by Coast Guard certified fishing vessel drill instructors and designed for vessel masters, operators and crews of uninspected passenger vessels and local charter vessels, featured an overview of safety standards and demonstrations throughout the day.  Participants were educated on a variety of safety issues including firefighting, lifesaving, CPR/first aid, drug and alcohol testing requirements, licensing and the proper use, fit and function of marine survival equipment.

“Our goal today was reaching commercial fisherman and charter boat captains.  By reviewing the safety equipment, they’ll be able to help themselves in the event of a search and rescue situation.  The life raft will help keep them safe from the elements.  The EPIRB will show us where to find them.  If we can help them, it’ll help us,” said Petty Officer 2^nd Class Brian Giunta, a machinery technician at Station Montauk.

“Today went great,” said Ted Williams, Sales and Marine Safety Coordinator with Hercules Securing Lifting and Rigging, whose survival gear demonstration included the discharge of a fire extinguisher, the deployment of a (dud) flare and the inflation of a six-person life raft on the station’s grounds.  “If what we did will help save a life, it’s worth it.  I’ll train one person if I have to.  One or one hundred, it doesn’t matter.” 

“We had a diverse group today,” said Williams, “and I got some good feedback from them.  It’s important to know what’s getting through and to bring them into the culture of safety. They’ll go back to their boatman’s association meetings and they’ll talk about what they saw today.  It opens their eyes.  The word will get out.  One guy came up to me after the event and said he was going to go home and check the batteries on his lights.”

NEW YORK – A Coast Guard law enforcement team terminated a vessel voyage in Sandy Hook Bay, N.J., Tuesday, May 15, 2012.

While performing a routine vessel safety check on a 19-foot pleasure craft with one person onboard, the crew from Coast Guard Cutter Chinook noted three violations: no life jackets, Type IV flotation device or sound-producing device.

The crew of the Chinook terminated the voyage and escorted the vessel to Atlantic Highlands Marina. The man was fishing for clams when he was boarded by the Coast Guard.

“We terminated the vessel voyage for the safety of the passenger onboard,” said Chief Petty Officer Rodger Krass, a Sector New York command duty officer. “The person was not properly equipped to be on the water.”

Although the outside air temperatures are warming up, water temperatures are still very cold, and sea conditions can present unforeseen challenges. Proper safety equipment can save your life in an emergency.

NEW YORK - A Coast Guard rescue boat crew medically evacuated two men from a tanker anchored at Stapleton Anchorage in New York Harbor, Tuesday, May 15, 2012.

The crew of the tanker Aztec called the Coast Guard requesting medical assistance at 11:28 a.m. for a 60-year-old man reportedly suffering from symptoms of a heart attack.

The Coast Guard rescue crew from Station New York, with an emergency medical technician onboard, evacuated the man from the Aztec to provide medical attention and transportation to shore. The man was transferred to local emergency medical services personnel waiting on Staten Island.

In a second call shortly after the first rescue, the crew of the Aztec again radioed the Coast Guard requesting medical assistance for a 58-year-old-man reportedly suffering from symptoms of a seizure.

The Station New York rescue boat crew returned to the Aztec and safely evacuated the second man from the vessel. He was transferred to local emergency medical services personnel waiting on Staten Island.

Both men were taken to Staten Island University Hospital.

"It was unusual to have two medevacs from the same vessel," said Lt. Cmdr. Jason C. Aleksak, Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Station New York. “Fortunately we were able to provide the attention both patients needed and get them to further medical care."

NEW YORK – The Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary and New York Sea Grant program will host a no-cost Safety at Sea training event Thursday, May 17, 2012, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at Coast Guard Station Montauk, N.Y.

The event, conducted by Coast Guard certified fishing vessel drill instructors, will feature demonstrations throughout the day and is designed for vessel masters, operators and crews of uninspected passenger vessels.

The program will offer training on a variety of safety issues including firefighting, lifesaving, CPR/first aid, drug and alcohol testing requirements, licensing and more.

Passenger vessel exams will be conducted dockside at the station, but must be pre-scheduled through Antoinette Clemetson, New York Sea Grant coordinator. Call (631) 727-3910 to reserve a spot for the event and make an appointment for vessel exams. Space is limited.

Please dress appropriately (no sandals, wear full length pants, cap)

Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Coast Guard Station Montauk
69 Star Island Road
Montauk, NY  11954

NEW YORK - The search effort to locate a reported person in the water near West Haven, Conn., has been suspended after rescue crews were unable to locate any signs of distress this morning.

The search was suspended at approximately 10 a.m. after Coast Guard air and boat crews along with local agencies, searched throughout the night and into the morning and were unable to find any debris.

At 10 p.m., Friday, Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound watchstanders in New Haven, Conn., received a distress call on VHF-FM channel 16 from a male caller reporting he had struck a reef off of West Haven and his boat was taking on water. The caller advised he was shooting flares and abandoning ship. No further contact with the boat was made.

“Coast Guard and local agencies conducted an extensive searched for 12 hours covering more than 500 square miles based on the information we received,” said Peter Winters, the search and rescue coordinator at Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound. “We have decided to suspend our active search pending the development of new information.

The Coast Guard received no reports of any vessel being overdue or unaccounted for.

Agencies involved in the search:

• HU-25 Falcon rescue jet crew from Air Station Cape Cod, Mass.
• MH-60 Jayhawk rescue helicopter crew from Air Station Cape Cod, Mass.
• 87-foot Coast Guard Cutter Chinook, homeported in New London, Conn.
• 45-foot rescue boat crew from Station New Haven
• West Haven Fire Dept.
• Branford Fire Dept.
• East Haven Police Dept.
• Branford commercial salvage company