The Coast Guard and Nassau County police searched for a missing fisherman in the Long Island Sound Tuesday about half a mile from the coast off Bayville.

Witnesses reported that a boat was partially under water at about 1:00 Tuesday afternoon, and when crews arrived, they found a 24-foot fishing boat on the bottom of the Sound. They also discovered a cooler, gas tank and wallet in a plastic bag floating nearby. Officials will not release the owner's name.

The dive team also found the boat's registration, which led them to the owner, who told officials that he rented it out to someone on Tuesday.

The Coast Guard had reported seeing two men out on a fishing boat Tuesday afternoon, though officials are uncertain if that is the same boat later discovered submerged. Rescue efforts ceased at dark, but are scheduled to resume Wednesday morning.

?We don?t know the person or how good of a swimmer they were or ? whether they are wearing a life preserver or not,? says Det. Lt. Kevin Smith of the Nassau County Police Department. ?The challenge is trying to get to this person and hopefully finding them in good condition.?