2 Presumed Dead After Boat Capsized Identified: Police

WEST DEPTFORD, NJ — Two boaters who have been missing since their boat capsized on the Delaware River in Gloucester County have been identified.

Joseph P. McLaughlin, 24, and Brian S. Palangi, 26, both of Deptford, went missing after their boat capsized on Saturday, according to New Jersey State Police. The identifications came after police said earlier in the day that both men have been presumed dead.

What began as a search-and–rescue mission has now transitioned into a recovery operation, according to a state police spokesperson. The boat capsized after it had begun taking on water Saturday afternoon.

The three boaters onboard went into the water and began swimming toward safety. However, McLaughlin and Palangi were caught up in swift currents and carried away, police said.

The third man was rescued by good Samaritans on a passing vessel. He was taken to a nearby hospital and has been released, police said.

The U.S. Coast Guard is working with New Jersey State Police, as well as police in Gloucester and Camden counties and Philadelphia, on the mission, according to nj.com.

As of Sunday, an investigator told CBS 3 there had been no sign of the two missing boaters.

The 19-foot recreational vessel capsized near Red Bank Battlefield Park in National Park, according to 6 ABC. Investigators told the news station they think rough weather contributed to the boat capsizing.