Coast Guard: Kayaker without lifejacket rescued off Gilgo State Park

A kayaker was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard Sunday near Gilgo State Park after treading water for about 45 minutes without a lifejacket.

The Coast Guard did not release the identity of the kayaker -- and did not say if he suffered any kind of injuries.

The search began after the kayaker was reported overdue and the Coast Guard said a search, including marine and air crews from the Suffolk County police, was conducted near Fire Island Inlet.

"It's very important to wear a lifejacket whenever you're on the water," USCG P.O. 2nd Class Christopher Crociata, a Station Fire Island crew member, said in a statement.

"The kayaker wasn't wearing one," he said, "and he could have died because of it."

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”