Official search for missing N.J. man halted in Honduras

INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

Joseph Dunsavage was last seen about 11:30 a.m. last Sunday sailing his catamaran out to fish in the Caribbean off Honduras' Roatan Island.

Military search teams from the United States, Honduras, and Belize have now ended the search after finding no trace of the North Jersey businessman.

But his family and friends have not given up hope and last night met in an Edison, N.J., sports bar called Season's to raise money to keep searching.

"My dad's a survivor," said James Dunsavage, 27, the second of five children, in a phone interview from Season's. "I believe we'll see him soon here, having a beer and telling everyone about his experiences."

His brother Joseph Jr., 29, was in Honduras with others participating in the search, and hopeful that the money-raising effort would be successful.

"We had quotes of $1,000 to $2,500 an hour to rent a helicopter," Dunsavage said. "My family's tapped out."

Their father, comanager of Prospect Mortgage in Linden, N.J., flew May 9 to Roatan, where he was a partner in a business renting glass-bottom boats.

The trip was part business and part recreation, James Dunsavage said, adding that his father was preparing for back surgery and did not know when he would return.

The weather was perfect for sailing, Dunsavage said, and the catamaran had an outboard motor and fuel. When his father did not return after several hours, his business partner called authorities to begin the search.

Dunsavage said he was disappointed the military search had ended but grateful for the support of businesses and friends who contributed services and items for a raffle.

On Friday, family and friends raised $2,400, and hoped to do better last night, Dunsavage said.

"Right now we're trying to keep this alive in people's memories," he added.