NJ State Police confirm body recovered that of El Jefe Captain Tom Andresen

SANDY HOOK (WABC) -- New Jersey State Police confirmed Saturday that the body recovered Saturday afternoon was that of El Jefe Captain Tom Andresen.

Andresen was fishing in Sandy Hook Channel on Tuesday when his 40-foot steel hull fishing boat, El Jefe sunk.

Divers searched the water for the boat as debris from it floated in the channel. Dangerous conditions originally prevented divers from searching the boat for his body.

"They call it the rips for a reason, I mean the current rips through there and it's a dangerous spot, plus there's a lot of debris down there, whatever netting was hanging off the boat, the ropes, and chains, and you know it's dangerous," said Corey Andresen, the missing man's son.

The Belford Seafood Co-Op released a statement saying: "It is with great sorrow that we report that divers have recovered the body of Captain Tom Andresen this afternoon. He was a cheerful member of our fishing community, and he will be missed by many. To his wife, Barbara, and the rest of his family, we send you prayers for comfort and love during this very sad time."