17-year-old missing in the water in the Rockaways

A teen swimmer went missing in the Rockaways on Tuesday afternoon.

A 17-year-old boy went into the water with friends near Beach 73rd Street and Shore Front Parkway around 3:30 p.m. and has not been seen since, police say.

The search was suspended Tuesday night, and police say it will resume Wednesday morning.

Video shows people forming a human chain in the water earlier in the evening, trying to safely help in the search.

While the temperatures have been warm, the FDNY said divers experienced rough surf during their search. The department also said drones were used to monitor the situation and that marine units assisted along the shoreline and offshore.

The NYPD says its SCUBA unit and air units also helped with the search.

"I saw the helicopter come down and to my understanding I think it was like a search party, like groups of people, like walking 50 feet into the water and then coming back," one witness said.

"We just hear commotion, a bunch of helicopters. It got super windy. It was like a sandstorm -- people running off the beach," a woman added.

Lifeguards were not on duty Tuesday because beaches have not yet opened for the season, which begins Saturday.

Check back soon for more on this developing story.