News12 New York
N12 Originals
Numbers & Links
Local
Crime
Weather
Politics
Taxing Long Island
Clear
66°
Local
Crime
Weather
Politics
Taxing Long Island

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

Updated

Share:

More Stories

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.




Top Stories

01:48
LI 10PM FRI_Nepal Vigil_ajc_2026-08-28-22-04-21

Long Island Nepalese community holds vigil for victims of deadly Nepal floods

02:00
F P1 PM 1

Dry with lowering humidity overnight ahead of nice weather this weekend

00:16
Manhole

Police investigate reports of group entering Wantagh sewer system

00:22
li5pmbol2026turtlle_2026-08-28-17-07-12

Turtle found in Deer Park purposefully trapped in underwater cage with hook inside its mouth

01:31
IMG 5899

Exclusive video shows moment alleged drunk driver slams into Suffolk County police vehicle

00:30
PJ Football MS 082826_2026-08-28-17-21-22

Port Jefferson drops varsity football team over lack of players

01:33
li5pmbolloganparkingrh_2026-08-28-17-17-46

Riverhead residents frustrated as new 2-hour parking limit takes effect along riverfront

01:46
5PM LI_Remembrance Life_ajc_2026-08-28-17-07-55

Loved ones hold celebration of life for LI couple two years after their killings

00:23
li5pmbol2026khan_2026-08-28-17-04-03

Dix Hills man pleads guilty to 2025 wrong-way pile-up crash

00:22
828LIEsigns_2026-08-28-12-08-48

Long Island Expressway signs pay tribute to Dolly Parton

00:53
828islandersjersey_2026-08-28-12-49-39

‘One of the coolest things to ever happen to me.’ Elmont man talks winning Islanders jersey design contest

00:21
828lisexabuse_2026-08-28-05-51-25

Man pleads guilty to sexually abusing children at T.J. Maxx in Medford

00:15
828affordablehousingportjefferson_subclip_2026-08-28-07-46-54_07-15-43,24

Construction begins for affordable housing development in Port Jefferson

00:30
dwi arrest

DWI suspect hits construction vehicle, causes fuel spill in Brookhaven

00:23
battery fire

Remote control car with lithium-ion battery sparks East Rockaway fire

02:15
828foodtruckfridaynoon_2026-08-28-12-50-52

Food Truck Friday: The Groovy Cookie

00:21
LILIGHTNINGSTRIKE828_2026-08-28-05-05-06

Firefighters respond to Hicksville home struck by lightning

00:27
HAWK

Suffolk police officers rescue injured hawk in Mastic

01:44
Screenshot 2026-08-28 054841

Student divers recover woman’s engagement ring from bottom of Hudson River

01:50
LI 5PM THUR_Coach Assault_ajc_2026-08-27-17-08-20

Police investigating incident between football player and coach during practice

App StoreGoogle Play Store

info

Newsletter

Send Photos/Videos

Contact

About Us

News Team

News 12 New York

follow us

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

more resources

Optimum Corporate

Optimum Service

Advertise on News 12

Careers

Content Removal Policy

© 2026 N12N, LLC

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Ad Choices