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Volunteers join family and Suffolk police in search for missing boater on Great South Bay

Joe Jaronczyk says complete strangers have joined the search, including retired members of the FDNY with drones and people from other South Shore communities who showed up with binoculars and sonar equipment.

Thema Ponton

May 10, 2023, 5:34 PM

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Family, friends and Suffolk County police are getting help from volunteers in their search for a missing boater on the Great South Bay.

Missing boater's family, Suffolk police continue search on Great South Bay

As News 12 has previously reported, 28-year-old James Jaronczyk's boat crashed when it hit a wave on the Great South Bay around 4:30 p.m. Sunday. He has now been missing for over 72 hours.

James Jaronczyk's father, Joe Jaronczyk, tells News 12 that a volunteer search and rescue team from Pennsylvania has had boats out on the Great South Bay looking for his son since early Wednesday.

Suffolk County police tell News 12 they have four boats out in the water and a helicopter searching for the Massapequa resident.

Joe Jaronczyk says complete strangers have joined the search, including retired members of the FDNY with drones and people from other South Shore communities who showed up with binoculars and sonar equipment.

"I've been my son's father for 28 years," says Joe Jaronczyk. "In the three days that I've met the people that he's touched their lives, I've learned so much about him that I never knew, and it just makes me proud. So, I wish I could speak with him and tell him that."

The family says they will continue their search until their loved one is found. They are urging any volunteers helping in the search to immediately call police if they find him.




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