Swimmer swept 2 miles offshore treads water for hours before boat passes, NJ cops say

A swimmer says he desperately tread water for hours before a passing boat spotted him two miles out in the Atlantic, according to officials in New Jersey.

Pete Ordane, 34, was found by sheer luck when some commercial fishermen happened by around 9 a.m. Monday, July 15, the Middletown Police Department said in a news release.

“Ordane advised officers that he had gone into the water in New York City, most likely in the area of Breezy Point in the Borough of Queens,” police said. “Ordane stated that he was pulled out by the tide and had been treading water for several hours until he was found.”

The boat pulled him aboard between Sandy Hook and New York City and brought him to the Monmouth Cove Marina in Port Monmouth.

Emergency medial staff reported Ordane was in good condition, officials said. He was released after declining additional treatment and given dry clothes and food while awaiting a ride home, officials said.

The anglers who rescued Ordane live in the Port Monmouth section of Middletown and they asked to remain anonymous, police said.

“The Middletown Police commend the commercial fisherman and his son ... for taking such valiant actions and undoubtedly saving Ordane’s life,” police said.

This story was originally published July 16, 2024 at 12:12 PM with the headline "Swimmer swept 2 miles offshore treads water for hours before boat passes, NJ cops say."