A swimmer went missing off the coast of Rockaway Beach on Tuesday and an NYPD rescue operation did not locate him before sundown, officials said.
The swimmer was reported missing near Beach 73rd St. around 3:31 p.m., police said.
Police helicopters and scuba divers were dispatched to comb the shoreline. The divers were pulled out of the water around sundown, cops said.
FDNY rescue swimmers, drones and marine units also joined in the search, but the Fire Department handed the rescue operation over to police shortly before 5 p.m. after finding no sign of the swimmer.
City Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers posted about the missing swimmer on X.
“An 18-year-old entered the water near or around B73 on Rockaway Beach and went missing,” Powers wrote. “911 was contacted. All hands are on deck. Please stay clear of the area and let the emergency services work. They’re trying their hardest to locate the individual.”
Another swimmer was treated by paramedics and refused to be taken to a hospital.
Lifeguards are not stationed at the beach until Memorial Day weekend, when they are on duty from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
