Coast Guard Calls Off Search For Missing Swimmer Near Ocean City

OCEAN CITY, NJ — The U.S. Coast Guard called off a search Monday night for a swimmer who went missing off Ocean City. Authorities searched more than 82 square miles in about 21 hours for Jabed Ikbal.

The Clementon man went missing Sunday evening after rescuing two family members from the water in the Great Egg Harbor Inlet. After first responders received the call at about 7:30 p.m. Sunday, family members indicated that Ikbal hadn't returned to shore. Read more: Swimmer Missing In Water Off Ocean City

Boat and air crews searched for Ikbal, 24. The Coast Guard Cutter Bonito searched alongside a Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew and two 29-foot Response Boat-Small boatcrews from Coast Guard Station Atlantic City and Coast Guard Station Great Egg.

Ocean City's beach patrol, police department and fire department, along with the Longport Volunteer Fire Department, Longport Beach Patrol and Scullville Volunteer Fire Department also searched for Ikbal.

"The decision to suspend search efforts is a challenging one," said Chief Jacobe Hyre, the command duty officer at Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay. "We ask that everyone try and be cautious of weather conditions before choosing to swim."

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