Search for Atlantic Beach paddle boarder suspended

Coast Guard recommends wearing a life jacket when on the water

Posted

Updated June 15, 7:55 a.m.

The search for missing Atlantic Beach paddle boarder Gary Turkel, 41, has been suspended, according to U.S. Coast Guard officials.

“We treat every search effort as if we were searching for one of our own family members,” said Captain Edward Cubanski, III, commander Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound. “I would like to send my deepest sympathy and heartfelt thoughts out to the family and friends of Mr. Turkel during this tragic time.”


Police said, Turkel was last seen at 1565 Ocean Blvd. in Atlantic Beach using his paddleboard on the ocean. He was first reported missing at 6:15 p.m. on Sunday.
A family member called local authorities and said Turkel had gone out on a paddle board near the coast of Atlantic Beach and had not returned. A lifeguard on Atlantic Beach reported, he had last seen Turkel at approximately 3:30 p.m. on the paddle board without a life jacket.

Officials said the search was focused on an area north of where Turkel was paddle boarding, and mostly off shore. State Park police had searched Jones Beach on land and water. A Nassau police helicopter and two Coast Guard boats were assigned to the search. The Atlantic Beach Rescue Squad, Lawrence-Cedarhurst Fire Department and Town of Hempstead Public Safety were also involved in the search.

“He was out past the jetties paddle-boarding,” said Long Beach Fire Department Chief RJ Tuccillo, adding that Turkel was last seen in the waters off the Ocean Club.

The helicopter search was halted at sunset on Monday night, and a Coast Guard cutter continued the search throughout Monday night. Then the search resumed on Tuesday at sunrise, according to Lt. Matt Richards, a member of the Incident Management Division of the Coast Guard.

Safety on the water

The Coast Guard wants to remind all those who venture on the water to always wear a life jacket. The number one cause of water fatalities is drowning. A proper life jacket increases the chances of survival for anyone who may unexpectedly enter the water.

The Coast Guard encourages boaters who enjoy paddlesports to continue doing so, but to use the correct safety and survival equipment. Paddlesport enthusiasts should also brush up on paddling education by taking one or more of the paddler education classes offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary, state departments of natural resources, community park districts, paddling clubs and local commercial outfitters.

Paddlers should always check the weather forecast before a trip and should dress for the water temperature, rather than the air temperature. At times this might mean wearing wet or dry suits while paddling.

A float plan should be completed and left with someone who is not going out on the water. A float plan is a lifesaving device on paper and provides emergency responders with valuable information they would need in order to search for a distressed or overdue boater. Information on a float plan and how to obtain a blank float plan can be found at http://ift.tt/1lrgyd4.

Anthony Rifilato contributed to this story.