Worker Missing Off Of Smith Point County Marina In Shirley: Cops

SHIRLEY, NY — Authorities were searching the water off of Smith Point County Marina in Shirley on Friday evening after a person went missing there earlier.

Suffolk police said a 911 dispatcher received a call about a male employee who went missing while working at the marina Friday afternoon. A coworker had called 911 to report "an unoccupied boat circling in the marina at 3:20 p.m., said police, adding, that the employee has not been found.

A police spokesman could not specifically say for whom the person works.

Suffolk Marine Bureau officers, along with the U.S. Coast Guard and local fire departments all responded to the scene, according to police.

Police did not immediately have any further details.

The investigation is continuing.

A Coast Guard spokesman declined to comment, instead deferring to police, who have the lead on the investigation.

A massive amount of police, fire department, and ambulance personnel quickly descended on the scene Friday afternoon. It's not clear how many different departments were there but as of about 6:20 p.m., at least six search boats could be seen out in the bay searching the water, while at least one helicopter flew overhead scanning from above.

A Suffolk County park ranger had the entrance to the marina blocked for non-emergency traffic as ambulance personnel from Mastic, Mastic Beach, and East Moriches, as well as Suffolk County Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services could be seen leaving the marina.

It is not clear how many departments remain at the marina.

It's the second time in recent weeks that a person has been reported missing off of Smith Point.

Ronkonkoma boater Todd Mauro's 25-foot vessel washed up ashore on the pavilion side Oct. 30.

He also has not been found, police said.