After a night adrift between Sandy Hook and Highlands, a 19-year-old jet skier is recovering following his rescue early this morning by the U.S. Coast Guard.

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The boater, whose identity was not disclosed, bore signs of dehydration and hypothermia when a rescue crew spotted him at about 6:29 AM, authorities said.

He had left Sandy Hook en route to Highlands, and was reported missing at about 9:40 PM to the USCG command post on Staten Island by Highlands police.

A rescue crew cast off from Sandy Hook while notifications and activations got under way at New York City police and fire marine and aviation units, and fire companies in Atlantic Highlands, Union Beach, Keyport and Keansburg.

After several unsuccessful late-night sweeps, a Coast Guard crew relaunched around daybreak and spotted the teen. He was brought to Sandy Hook where EMTs and his family stood by, then driven to Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank.

Captain Thomas Morgan, Deputy Commander of Sector New York, said in a prepared statement, "This is why we search, even when the odds are against us. You simply never know when fate or luck has intervened to keep someone alive long past the time that logic dictates otherwise. This is a good day for all of us in the search and rescue community."

USCG estimates that it conducts about 2,500 search and rescue missions annually in the northeastern US, saving about 350 lives. They urge boaters to wear life jackets and stock all essential safety gear.

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