Body of missing LI boater James Jaronczyk found in Great South Bay after four-day search

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The body of a Long Island boat racing enthusiast who was thrown overboard when his vessel hit a wave has been found in Great South Bay after a four-day search by friends, family and local marine crews, officials said Thursday.

James Jaronczyk, 28, was found by a Suffolk County marine rescue team just west of the Village Pool, officials at the Village of Babylon said on Facebook.

“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,” the village’s Thursday morning post said.

“James was found in the location where rescue teams and divers were concentrating on just west of the Village Pool,” the post continues. “Out of respect for the Jaronczyk family, the Village Pool parking lot will only be open for family and friends at this time.

“James… May you rest in peace and shine your love and strength down on your family forever.”

Jaronczyk, of Massapequa, had just left the Tres Palms waterfront restaurant in Babylon shortly after 4 p.m. Sunday when his 22-foot Progression speedboat hit a wave and tossed him into the water.

The US Coast Guard launched a search for Jaronczyk on Sunday and scoured 1,000 nautical miles on the water and from the air before suspending the search at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, officials said.

Suffolk County and Babylon teams continued the search with relatives and friends until he was found.

Jaronckyn, whose speedboat, “Nauti Boyz,” competed in local boat races, was preparing for an upcoming contest when he went missing, according to reports.

Family friends on Thursday launched a GoFundMe page for Jaronczyk’s family.

Additional reporting by Alex Mitchell

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