UPDATE: Coast Guard Suspends Search for 14-Year-Old Swimmer

OCEAN CITY – The Coast Guard has suspended the search shortly before 4 p.m., June 30 for a 14-year-old boy, identified as Corinthian Hammond from Hunting Park by 6 ABC, who went missing Sunday evening in the water near 9th Street in Ocean City.
“After the Coast Guard searched for approximately 20 hours, covering more than 20 square miles with multiple search assets by air and sea, we have suspended our search for the missing boy in Ocean City,” said Capt. Kathy Moore, the commander of Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay, in Philadelphia. “Our sincerest condolences go out to his family during this incredibly difficult time.”
A 25-foot Response Boat — Small crew from Coast Guard Station — Small Great Egg, a 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew from Coast Guard Station Atlantic City, an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, a New Jersey State Police Marine Unit, the Ocean City Fire Department and several good Samaritans helped search for the boy.
The Ocean City Police Department alerted Coast Guard watchstanders to the missing boy shortly before 7 p.m. June 29 reporting the boy was swimming with friends when they were all swept out by a rip current. Everyone except for the 14-year-old boy made it back to shore.
The Ocean City Fire Department and Beach Patrol will continue their search of the area July 1.
The family of the missing teenage boy, who was lost in the surf, had a beachside vigil July 1 at 3:30 p.m. at the 9th Street beach in memoriam.
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PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
A group of individuals entered the water of an unprotected beach off 9th Street in Ocean City June 29 at approximately 6:45 p.m.
The group was quickly caught in a rip tide and swept out from the beach. Several others entered the water attempting to help and were also caught in the rip tide.
A 9-1-1 call was received and Ocean City’s Beach Patrol Rapid Response Team was activated from 12th Street and arrived on location within a minute. The Response team rescued and removed 14 people from the water. It was then discovered that a 14-year-old boy had gone missing. An aggressive water rescue operation was launched. Teams of firefighters and beach patrol began searching the water utilizing ropes and rescue equipment. The nearby jetty was searched with divers and swimmers.
The Ocean City Police Marine Unit, United States Coast Guard and Fire Department jet skis searched the waters off the beach. The search continued for approximately two hours and was called off due to unsafe conditions and darkness.
The search resumed at 6 a.m. June 30 with fire department and police personnel patrolling the coast line until the lifeguards returned for duty at 9:30 a.m. The search of the immediate area will continue throughout the day. The local police department is with the family and conducting an investigation into the matter. Names are being withheld due to the age of the victim.
While police continue to search for the remaining victim, 14 people were rescued from the ocean. The Ocean City Fire and Beach Patrol have personnel in place to provide this type of response and rescue when needed. The beaches are closed to bathers after 5:30 p.m. on Sundays and the area is posted prohibiting swimming.
Several years ago the beach patrol began staffing a Rapid Response team. This team is stationed from 12th street, which is a midpoint to the area. The team is on from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the summer months to help people who choose to enter the water. This team has made countless rescues. Swimmers are discouraged from swimming after hours and to only swim at guarded beaches.
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PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
The Coast Guard and partner agencies are searching for a 14-year-old boy who went missing in the water near 9th Street in Ocean City June 29.
The Ocean City Police Department alerted Coast Guard watchstanders to the missing boy shortly before 7 p.m., reporting the boy was swimming with friends when they were all swept out by a rip current. Everyone except for the 14-year-old boy made it back to shore.
A 25-foot Response Boat — Small crew from Coast Guard Station — Small Great Egg, in Ocean City, an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, a New Jersey State Police Marine Unit, the Ocean City Fire Department and several good Samaritans are searching for the boy.
He is reported to be wearing white swimming shorts.