Two teenage boys, aged 16 and 17, went missing in the waters of Jacob Riis Park in Queens after a huge wave overtook them, just minutes after lifeguards went off duty Friday evening.

Emergency services launched an extensive search and rescue operation involving the FDNY, NYPD divers, the US Coast Guard, and various specialized units after the boys vanished around 6:00 p.m. Efforts continued late into the night and resumed Saturday morning using drones and helicopters. The situation has now shifted to a recovery mission, casting a pall over the park as investigations into the incident, possibly caused by a riptide, continue. This tragic event starkly emphasizes the risks of swimming unsupervised.

The two boys had been enjoying a day at Jacob Riis Park before the incident occurred. According to witnesses, they were swimming when a massive wave suddenly overtook them. Despite immediate efforts from people nearby, the boys did not resurface, instigating a frantic call for help.

Lifeguards supervising the beach had ended their duty for the day at 6:00 p.m., per the park's regulated hours for swimming under official supervision. The boys went missing shortly after the lifeguards had left, an unfortunate timing that left them without immediate professional rescue support.

Emergency responders were quick to mobilize following the distress call. Teams from the FDNY, NYPD divers, NYPD’s Special Operations Aviation Unit, and the US Coast Guard were dispatched to the scene. Their coordinated search efforts highlighted the urgency and scale of the mission to locate the missing teenagers.

For nearly five hours Friday evening, rescuers scoured the area with marine units and fire boats, despite worsening light conditions. Helicopters and drones were deployed from a nearby airfield early Saturday morning to continue the search, utilizing advanced technology to cover more area.

The operation, idealistically starting as a rescue mission, has now transitioned into a recovery effort. Given the protracted duration since the boys' disappearance and the known dangers of the waters, authorities have somberly altered the focus of their mission.

Kaz Daughtry, NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Operations, encapsulated the gravity of the situation by describing it as a parent's worst nightmare. This comment reflects the deep emotional and physical toll these situations take on families and communities at large.

The identities of the boys have not been released, and it remains unclear whether they had any proficiency in swimming. This lack of information adds a layer of complexity to understanding the full circumstances surrounding the tragic event.

Jacob Riis Park, part of the Gateway National Recreation Area, is a well-known spot for beachgoers in Queens. The designated hours for swimming under lifeguard supervision, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., are meant to ensure safety. Unfortunately, incidents like this underline the potential dangers outside these hours.

Investigators are looking into whether a riptide could have been a contributing factor to the boys’ disappearance. Riptides, known for their powerful and fast-moving channels of water, can pose a significant threat even to experienced swimmers, making them a plausible reason behind such sudden occurrences.

This incident serves as a somber reminder of the unpredictability and inherent danger of natural water bodies. Despite the best efforts of professional rescuers and the latest search technologies, the volatile nature of the sea combined with poor visibility and underwater currents can make such operations immensely challenging.

At this point, search efforts continue with the hope of finding some resolution for the families involved. The collaborative efforts of multiple agencies highlight the community's commitment to addressing such tragedies, albeit with the heart-wrenching reality that recovery missions often end in sorrow rather than relief.

As the investigation into the incident proceeds, officials are likely to assess safety protocols and possibly recommend measures to mitigate future risks in unsupervised waters. Public awareness campaigns about the dangers of riptides and swimming alone could be pivotal in preventing further tragedies of this kind.