Three dead, one missing after boat capsizes in New York's Ambrose Channel

Three people are confirmed dead while a fourth has gone missing after a recreational fishing boat capsized in the Ambrose Channel off New York's Breezy Point neighbourhood on Sunday, February 23.

The incident began at 12:04 local time on Sunday when US Coast Guard watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector New York received a notification from New York City 911 operators about a vessel taking on water near Breezy Point, a neighbourhood at the tip of Queens’ Rockaway peninsula.

Coast Guard watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast and deployed three rescue boats from Coast Guard Station New York and Station Sandy Hook and an MH-65 helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City.

Crews from the New York Police Department, the New York Fire Department, and the New Jersey State Police crews are also assisting in the multi-agency response.

The vessel reportedly departed from Howard Beach on Sunday morning and was fishing recreationally.

Coast guard boat and helicopter crews and those of partner agencies initially recovered five people from the surrounding waters. Four people were found unresponsive, and three of them were later pronounced deceased while they were being treated at various hospitals.

At approximately 18:00 on Monday, February 24, the coat guard suspended its search for the boat's missing occupant, who has been identified as a 52-year-old male.

Coast guard crews searched a combined total of approximately 842 square miles (2,180 square kilometres) over the course of 30 hours, utilising crews aboard helicopters, planes, ships and small boats.

The coast guard is coordinating with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation regarding next steps on the investigation.

The coast guard vessels that participated in the response effort included the fast response cutter USCGC William Chadwick (pictured), the patrol boat USCGC Bonito, three response boats, and a motor life boat.