UPDATED: State Police Cease Sonar, Conduct Surface Search

WILDWOOD — The Coast Guard suspended its search at about 10 p.m. on Tue., Aug. 28 for a missing Middle Township police officer whose unmanned sport fishing boat was discovered approximately one mile off Wildwood, Mon., Aug. 27.
“We are still searching,” Sgt. Brian Polite of the New Jersey State Police told the Herald at noon Wed. Aug. 29. “There are still various agencies out there. There seems to be a lot of people still out there. The same assets we had out there, we still have out there.”
As of 3 p.m. Wed., Aug. 29 state police confirmed they had discontinued its use of side scan sonar and were conducting a surface search.
According to Polite, that search will continue until dark.
AS FIRST REPORTED: The Coast Guard continued to assist State Police by providing search patterns, according to a release.
Earlier Aug. 28, Lt. Stephen Jones, New Jersey State Police spokesman, said State Police led a multi-agency offshore search for Jason Sill, 39, of Court House. He is a Middle Township police officer, and registered owner of the 23-foot Nautic Star, named the Rock n Reel, that was found by a good Samaritan mariner who reported it to Coast Guard about noon.
Watch standers at Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay, which is responsible for the entire maritime area around Cape May County, took the initial report and launched what became a widespread search that included numerous Coast Guard boats and helicopters, State Police Marine Bureau craft, and divers, both from State Police and Middle Township Police Department.
State Police utilized side-scan sonar to search the ocean floor for possible evidence. Monday’s search was suspended at dark and was resumed early Tuesday morning.
Even fire companies and beach patrols, with Jet-ski capability joined the search inshore and offshore. On Tuesday, sea conditions were choppy with water temperature in the high 70s. Weather conditions prevented an air search.
Sill was last seen alone about 9:30 a.m. Monday leaving Pier 47 Marina on Route 47 in Rio Grande, where he told others at the pier he intended to fish in the back bay.
A Middle Township native, Sill has been a Middle Township officer since 1992. Middle Township police also launched a boat to assist in the search, according to Capt. John Edwards. Avalon police also dispatched a boat to the area.
A Coast Guard Station Cape May boat crew arrived on scene with Sill’s boat and discovered the keys still in the ignition with the engine in the down position with the throttle forward. Fishing poles were also discovered on the boat.
It is unknown if Sill wore a life jacket while aboard. The depth ranges between 20 and 30 feet in the areas where Sill’s boat was located.
Also on Monday, State Police towed the boat to Cape May, according to a spokesman at Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City.
The search continued throughout daylight hours on Monday, and resumed early Tuesday. The Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office established a command post at North Wildwood State Police Marine Bureau by Hereford Inlet.
As the search continues divers from State Police and Middle Township Police Department were on standby.
State Police Troop A Criminal Investigation Office conducted interviews and collected evidence.
The case remains under active investigation, Jones said.
Anyone with information should contact State Police at 609-882-2000.