Coast Guard Ends Search for Missing Kayaker in Monmouth County

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Coast Guard Ends Search for Missing Kayaker in Monmouth County

Coast Guard Ends Search for Missing Kayaker in Raritan Bay

Zhenjiang Ding

According to authorities, the U.S. Coast Guard called off its search Tuesday night for a kayaker who vanished Monday night in the Raritan Bay off the coast of Keyport.

Around 6:30 p.m., Zhenjiang Ding's kayak and personal belongings were discovered in Keyport Harbor close to Cedar Street Park, according to a statement from the Coast Guard. According to Keyport police, the kayaker had been fishing when the discovery was made close to Walnut Street.

Coast Guard officials said Tuesday night that they had searched nearly 129 square nautical miles for over 37 hours, with no signs of Ding.

“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Mr. Zhenjiang Ding,” Capt. Jonathan Andrechik, Deputy Commander of Coast Guard Sector New York, said in a statement. “Making the decision to suspend a search is always difficult. We are appreciative of the efforts of all agencies who participated in this search.”

It was not immediately apparent if other authorities would carry on looking for Ding, who is said to weigh between 140 and 160 pounds and stand 5 feet 6 inches tall.

The Coast Guard was earlier assisted in its search by the New Jersey State Police, the New York Police Department, and the New York Fire Department.

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