James Jaronczyk: Body of speedboat racer who fell overboard in freak rogue wave accident found after 4 days
SUFFOLK COUNTY, NEW YORK: The body of a Long Island speedboat racer who fell overboard in Great South Bay was found by local marine crews, friends, and family after a four-day search. James Jaronczyk, 28, whose boat hit a wave was discovered by a marine rescue team of Suffolk County marine rescue team just west of the Village Pool, according to the Facebook post by Village of Babylon officials on Thursday, May 11.
"Earlier this morning, missing boater James Jaronczyk was discovered by Suffolk County Underwater Marine Rescue with family and friends gathered as they have been over the last 4 days since James went missing after a boating accident on Sunday, May 7th, 2023," read the social media post by the officials.
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Jaronczyk was a skilled boater and an enthusiastic fisherman
"James was found in the location where rescue teams and divers were concentrating just west of the Village Pool. Out of respect for the Jaronczyk family, the Village Pool parking lot will only be open for family and friends at this time," the post continues.
"James… May you rest in peace and shine your love and strength down on your family forever," read the post. The racer was known as a racing boat pilot and was described as someone who was skilled in boating and an enthusiastic fisherman.
A rogue wave tossed him into the water
On Sunday, May 7, the Massapequa native left Babylon after 4.00 pm from the Tres Palms waterfront restaurant. Jaronczyk was tossed into the water after his 22-foot Progression speedboat was hit by a rogue wave. A search for the missing man was launched by the US Coast Guard on the same day and suspended the search on Tuesday, May 9, at 8.00 pm after they scoured 1,000 nautical miles on the water, according to New York Post.
The Babylon rescue team and Suffolk County teams continued the search for Jaronczyk along with his family and friends until he was discovered. When Jaroncyzk went missing, his speedboat 'Nauti Boyz' was preparing for an upcoming boat race contest, reported CBS News. On Thursday, May 11, Jaronczyk's family friends set up a GoFundMe page for his family.