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The Greenwich Police Department was one of many agencies involved in the search for the missing boater, who was identified as Ralph Fletcher of Long Island, N.Y. The waters off Greenwich were part of the search area, the Coast Guard said.
A total of 225 square nautical miles were searched for nearly 24 hours for Fletcher, starting on Saturday, the Coast Guard said.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New York Command Center were notified by the Sands Point Police Department at 7:30 p.m. Saturday of a grounded 21-foot vessel with a number of personal items aboard, including the owner's cellphone, wallet, and keys as well as a dog.
Sands Point is across the Sound from Mamaroneck, N.Y., and Glen Cover is across from Port Chester, N.Y.
First responders who were involved in the search included:
- Coast Guard Station Eatons Neck
- Coast Guard Station Kings Point
- Coast Guard Cutter Sitkinak
- Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod
- Glen Cove Police Department
- Greenwich Police Department
- Nassau County Police Department Marine and Aviation
- New Rochelle Police Department
- New York Fire Department
- Oyster Bay Police Department
- Port Washington Police Department
- Sands Point Police Department
- Westchester Police Department
“Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Mr. Fletcher in this difficult time,” said Capt. Michael Day, commander, Coast Guard Sector New York Command Center. “Suspending a search is never an easy call to make and was made with deep consideration in this tragic case.”
The Coast Guard urges all boaters to file a float plan with family or friends before going out on the water.
A written plan can make a difference in rescue and response time in the event of an emergency, the Coast Guard said.
Nassau County Police Department is designated as the lead agency in the investigation of Fletcher's disappearance.
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