Abandoned Kayak Off Marblehead Prompts Coast Guard Search

MARBLEHEAD, MA — The Coast Guard launched an hours-long search off the Marblehead coast Saturday after an abandoned kayak was found with a cell phone inside.

Fortunately, the owner was the found safe.

The kayak was found floating about three miles off the coast by a Good Samaritan who contacted authorities.

"Unsure whether a person was in distress or if the kayak simply drifted out from land, and with no identifying information written on the kayak, the Coast Guard launched a search," Coast Guard Officer Andrew Sanchez said in a statement.

Coast Guard crew charged the cell phone and contacted the owner, who was safe.

“Search efforts like this are a costly reminder for paddleboard, canoe, and kayak owners, as well as rental companies, to ensure all their crafts are marked with detailed contact info to avoid triggering an unnecessary search."

The search on Saturday involved a Jayhawk helicopter and a 47-foot lifeboat; the hourly expense of operating those crafts is $14,000, according to Sanchez.

This is an example of an "if found" sticker, which are available through the Coast Guard: