Raft Adrift: Coast Guard Asks Public's Help Identifying

PORTSMOUTH, RI–The Coast Guard launched a search for someone possibly in the water Saturday after an unmanned, homemade raft was found drifting in Mt. Hope Bay. The location is near the mouth of the Taunton River on the Massachusetts and Rhode Island border.

A good Samaritan alerted Coast Guard watchstanders to the empty raft at about 7 a.m., the Coast Guard said.

A response boat crew from Coast Guard Station Castle Hill and Portsmouth Fire Marine 2 are on scene searching. Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England also activated the Rhode Island Taskforce for assistance.

The Coast Guard is requesting anyone with information about the owner of the homemade raft to contact search and rescue coordinators at 508-457-3211.

Photo Caption: Shown is an unmanned, homemade raft found Saturday, August 12, 2017 in Mt. Hope Bay at the mouth of the Taunton River on the Massachusetts and Rhode Island border. A response boat from Coast Guard Station Castle Hill and Portsmouth Fire Marine 2 launched a search for a possible person or people, or people, in the water after the discovery. U.S. Coast Guard photo Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Cynthia Oldham, U.S. Coast Guard District 1