A devastating maritime accident near New York’s Rockaway Peninsula has left three dead and rescue teams scrambling to locate one missing individual. The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed ongoing search efforts Monday after a speedboat sank approximately five miles southeast of Breezy Point, Queens, on Sunday afternoon.
Two survivors were rushed to local hospitals, with one remaining in critical condition as of Monday morning. New York Police Department officials stated the vessel began taking on water rapidly, though the exact cause remains under investigation. Coast Guard spokesperson Sydney Phoenix emphasized the urgency of operations:
We’ve deployed aircrews from Atlantic City and the Cutter Chadwick to scour the area. Every resource is being utilized.
Multi-agency collaboration marked the response effort, including:
- New York Fire Department dive teams
- New Jersey State Police marine units
- Sandy Hook Pilots navigation experts
Maritime safety records show this marks the third fatal boating incident in New York waters this year. Local authorities remind boaters that September’s shifting weather patterns require heightened vigilance. The National Weather Service had issued a small craft advisory for the area hours before the accident, warning of sudden wind shifts and choppy seas.
As families await updates on the missing passenger, the Coast Guard urges witnesses to contact their Atlantic City command center. This tragedy follows a 22% increase in New York harbor emergencies since 2022, according to Coast Guard statistics released last month.