CAPE MAY, NJ–The Coast Guard and New Jersey State Police searched for an overdue boater Tuesday approximately 1 mile east of Cape May Villas, New Jersey.
Missing was Christian Johnathon Hosford, Jr., 33, last seen around sunset on Monday in a 10-foot John boat near his home in Cape May Villas. Hosford reportedly did not have a life jacket, a whistle or any other safety gear with him at the time.
Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay watchstanders received a call at 9:50 p.m. Monday, from Hosford’s friend stating he had not come back in at his expected time of about 6:30 p.m.
The missing boater was located and found safe overnight about a mile north of the search area in Dennis Creek.
Rescue crews searching were:
- Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City MH-65 Dolphin helicopter
- Coast Guard Station Cape May 29-foot Response Boat-Small
- Coast Guard Station Fortesque 29-foot Response Boat-Small
- Coast Guard Cutter Rollin Fritch
- New Jersey State Police helicopter
- New Jersey State Police boatcrew
Cape May, NJ, Looking at Delaware Bay from beach, File photo by: Dennis Symons
An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter file photo. (U.S. Coast Guard Photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class David Micallef)