Update: Owner of unmanned kayak safe

By
Abigail Rosen
-
4
Officials say the unmanned kayak shows signs of recent use. —U.S. Coast Guard

Efforts to identify and locate the owner of an unmanned green kayak found floating off the coast of Gay Head Wednesday have been successful.

The abandoned kayak was discovered roughly a quarter-mile offshore, in the vicinity of Menemsha Bight, Wednesday morning, U.S. Coast Guard Senior Chief Stephen White told The Times.

The boat’s owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, confirmed to Times staff that the adrift kayak was not a result of an emergency. They are now working to have the kayak returned.

USCG Menemsha Station, the Menemsha harbormaster, and Dukes County emergency services had been assisting in the search since early Wednesday morning. Edgartown provided an ATV for coastal search.

Earlier, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England officials told The Times there had been no reports of a missing kayaker at this time.

Responders were hoping that by distributing the photo of the green kayak to the public, they will be able to confirm ownership of the kayak, and whether someone has recently used it. 

According to officials, there was no identification found in the kayak, but there were “signs of recent use.” 

A fishing pole and an oar were found inside the kayak. There were no signs indicating that the boat had taken on water.

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4 COMMENTS

  2. As an emergency responder, we frequently get calls for kayak’s or Stand Up Paddleboards which are forund unattended. We work alongside the Coast Guard searching and usually the owner is safe at home. I urge everyone with a kayak, SUP or small boat to write your name, address and phone number conspicuously on the boat. It could save countless resources from making a lengthly and expensive search.

    Thanks

  3. “If Found” stickers are available at many places on the island. West Marine, Winds Up, Vineyard Haven Yacht club, and Safe Harbor Marina has quantities of these stickers. Every year the Coast Guard wastes many hours of time trying to locate someone who may have fallen off of a kayak, paddle board, or canoe that washes ashore with no one inside. We in the Coast Guard Auxiliary distribute these stickers across the island. Please take advantage of them.
    Joe Berini
    USCG Auxiliary

  4. Thank you Joe for pointing this out. I have a kayak, and will certainly get one of these stickers.

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