Coast Guard Calls Off Search For Man Missing In Long Beach Waters

After more than a day of fevered searching, the Coast Guard has called off its hunt for the 30-year-old man that has most likely drowned in the waters off Long Beach. It was the second time in a week that a person drowned while swimming when life guards were not on duty.

The missing man was identified as Neil Gibbons, an Irish national. Gibbons was last seen when he and three friends went swimming in the waters off Long Beach Boulevard at 2 a.m. Monday. His friends made it back to shore and, realizing that Gibbons hadn't, called 911.

Multiple agencies were involved in the search, which lasted 29 hours and covered more than 650 miles. In addition to boats and helicopters from the Coast Guard, the NYPD and Nassau County Police Department aviation units were on scene, as well as the NCPD's marine unit. Both the Long Beach police and fire departments were aiding in the search, and Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department also helped.

“After searching extensively throughout the night and daylight hours, in coordination with our partner agencies, we have made the difficult decision to suspend our search,” said Cmdr. Andrew Ely, chief of response for the Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound.

It is the second time in a week that someone has drowned while swimming in the waters off Long Beach. Last week, a 10-year-old boy drowned while swimming with his brother. His body was recovered on Sunday.

Though the Coast Guard has called off its search, other agencies will continue trying to recover Gibbons' body.

Photo: Patch