Rip Current — Nassau, New York

2002-10-12 · near Freeport, Nassau, New York

Event narrative

One fisherman was missing, and presumed dead, and another fisherman was rescued in the waters off Civic Beach after their 21 foot motorized fishing boat overturned in rough seas. A 27 year old male was presumed dead after a Coast Guard search was called off the next evening. A 40 year old male was rescued and treated for a fractured rib, ingested sea water, and hypothermia from the 57 degree water. Two rescuers also suffered minor injuries when a large wave crashed into their boat. Buoy 44025, located approximately 20 nautical miles south of Fire Island, measured east-northeast winds of 25 to 30 knots with gusts to around 35 knots and seas of 12 feet around the time of the incident. The Coast Guard reported that neither man was wearing a life jacket when the boat overturned.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5318529. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.