A man caught in the tide, floats from Queens to Sandy Hook, New Jersey

🌊 A Queens man said he was swept away by the tide while swimming

🌊 He carried Pete Ordane west to New Jersey

🌊 Ordane was saved by a commercial fisherman

---

MIDDLETOWN — A swimmer who entered the water in Queens Monday morning was pulled from the water off Sandy Hook after lingering for 16 miles.

Middletown Deputy Police Chief Paul Bailey said the man believed he went into the water near Breezy Point in Queens and was swept away by the tide.

Pete Ordane, 34, of New York, said he floated for several hours before a commercial fisherman and his son spotted him about 2 miles from Sandy Hook.

They took Ordane to Monmouth Cove Marina in Port Monmouth where he was met by police and first responders.

READ MORE: New Jersey man admits to killing mother in bloody homicide

In Praise of the Good Samaritans

Water temperatures were in the 60s Monday with a south wind between 7 and 12 mph, according to New Jersey 101.5 Chief Meteorologist Dan Zarrow.

“Middletown Police commend the man and his son, who reside in the Port Monmouth neighborhood of Middletown and wish to remain anonymous, for taking such courageous action and undoubtedly saving Ordane’s life,” Bailey said in a statement.

He was examined, given dry clothes and food before taking his own transportation back to New York.

The man was swept away by the tide and had to tread water for several hours.

Report a correction 👈 | 👉 Contact our editorial staff