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3 dead, 1 in critical condition, 1 missing after boat capsizes near Breezy Point, officials say
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Feb 23, 2025
Modified Feb 24, 2025
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By
Giulia Heyward
Published Feb 23, 2025
Modified Feb 24, 2025
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At least three people have died, two others were hospitalized and one remained missing after a boat capsized Sunday in the Ambrose Channel, southeast of Breezy Point, according to officials.
Authorities responded to reports of a "vessel in distress" and a "sinking boat" with individuals in the water around 12:04 p.m., according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Four of the five people recovered were unresponsive, officials said.
Coast Guard crews administered CPR to some of the victims, officials said. Two were airlifted to Staten Island University Hospital, while three others were taken to the Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook, where emergency medical personnel were waiting. One of the hospitalized victims was listed in critical condition, officials said.
Authorities also said one person remained missing as the Coast Guard — along with the NYPD, FDNY, New Jersey State Police and Sandy Hook Pilots — continued their search efforts. The missing person had been identified as 52-year-old Vernon Glasford, who was last seen wearing a gray hoody, blue jeans and black boots, according to the Coast Guard. The identities of the other victims have not been released.
The vessel, reportedly a Grady White approximately 30 feet long, had departed from Howard Beach on Sunday morning for a recreational fishing trip, authorities said.
The incident occurred approximately five miles southeast of Breezy Point, a neighborhood at the tip of Queens’ Rockaway Peninsula. The Coast Guard said it received notification from New York City 911 operators about a vessel taking on water and immediately dispatched three rescue boats and an MH-65 helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City.
Coast Guard units involved in the response included Station New York, Station Sandy Hook, Cutter William Chadwick, Cutter Bonito and Air Stations Atlantic City and Cape Cod. NYPD Harbor and Aviation units, FDNY Marine units, the New Jersey State Police and Sandy Hook Pilots also assisted in the rescue efforts.
The search efforts extended overnight and into Monday morning, with three aircrews, two small boat crews and two ships deployed, the Coast Guard said. The current water temperature in the search area was approximately 38 degrees.
The Ambrose Channel is the only shipping channel in and out of the Port of New York and New Jersey, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New York District, which did not respond to a request for comment Sunday.
This story has been updated with additional information.
Brittany Kriegstein contributed reporting.
Tagged
new york city
public safety
staten island
Giulia Heyward
Giulia Heyward is a breaking news reporter on the Day-Of desk. She previously worked at NPR, as a breaking news reporter, and the New York Times, as a reporting fellow on the national desk. Her work has also appeared in CNN, The Atlantic and Politico. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or more securely on signal at 917-715-1458.
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