Search Suspended For Missing Boater in Long Island Sound

The United States Coast Guard has suspended its search for a missing boater whose boat was found unattended on Saturday, police say.

The Coast Guard searched 225 square nautical miles for approximately 24 hours for Ralph G. Fletcher III, 58, and suspended the search at 12:10 p.m. Saturday.

According to authorities, Fletcher was last seen at Garvies Point Marina on Long Island on Saturday at 11 a.m.

“Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Mr. Fletcher in this difficult time,” Captain Michael Day, commander of the Coast Guard Sector New York Command Center, said in a press release.

“Suspending a search is never an easy call to make and was made with deep consideration in this tragic case.”

His 21-foot Grandy-White boat was found unattended off the shoreline in Sands Point around 7:30 p.m. His dog was aboard the boat as well as numerous personal items, including his cell phone, wallet and keys, the United States Coast Guard reports.

According to the Daily Voice, the searchers included several agencies from the north side of the Long Island Sound, including the Westchester Police Department, New Rochelle Police Department and Greenwich Police Department.

The Coast Guard advises all boaters to file a float plan with family or friends prior to going out on the water.

Image via NCPD

By Paige McAtee (Patch Staff). Lanning Taliaferro contributed to this report.