UPDATED: Coast Guard searches for missing fisherman off Montauk, N.Y. – Coast Guard suspends search

NEW YORK — The Coast Guard is searching for a missing fisherman who went overboard 16 nautical miles south of Montauk Point, New York, Saturday. 

Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound watchstanders received a radio distress call via VHF Channel 16 at 11:20 p.m. from the commercial fishing vessel Hope and Sydney, reporting that crew member Carl Whitney, 32, had gone overboard. The individual was reported wearing an orange t-shirt, jeans and carrying a green duffle bag. He was not wearing a personal floatation device. 

Multiple assets are currently involved in the search, including: 

  • Coast Guard Station Montauk 47-foot Motor Lifeboat boatcrew
  • Coast Guard Guard Cutter Vigorous 
  • Coast Guard Cutter Kingfisher
  • Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew 
  • Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod HC-144 Ocean Sentry crew 

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U.S. Coast Guard 1st District PA Detachment New York
Contact: Coast Guard PA Detachment New York
Office: (212) 514-4291
After Hours: (917) 703-098

Coast Guard suspends search for missing fisherman off Montauk, N.Y. 

NEW YORK — The Coast Guard suspended the search Sunday afternoon for a missing fisherman who went overboard 16 nautical miles south of Montauk Point, New York, Saturday. 

Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound watchstanders received the initial radio distress call via VHF Channel 16 at 11:20 p.m. from the commercial fishing vessel Hope and Sydney, reporting that crew member Carl Whitney, 32, had gone overboard. The individual was reported wearing an orange t-shirt, jeans and carrying a green duffle bag. He was not wearing a personal floatation device.

Coast Guard crews conducted thorough searches throughout the night and morning for a total search effort of 608 square miles. 

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Mr. Carl Whitney today,” said Capt. Eva Van Camp, commander of Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound. “This tragic incident emphasizes the inherent dangers associated with being out on the water, and we urge all commercial and recreational mariners to take basic steps to ensure their safety before getting underway, including checking the weather, filing a float plan and wearing a life jacket.” 

Assets that were involved in the search included: 

  • Coast Guard Station Montauk 47-foot Motor Lifeboat boatcrew
  • Coast Guard Guard Cutter Vigorous 
  • Coast Guard Cutter Kingfisher
  • Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew 
  • Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod HC-144 Ocean Sentry crew 

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