Abandoned Kayak Prompts Search Near New Haven; Kayaker Later Found Safe

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (CBSNewYork) -- U.S. Coast Guard crews launched a search for a possible missing person Sunday, after an unmanned kayak was found near the rocks at Lighthouse Point in New Haven, Connecticut.

The kayaker was later fond safe.

Around 12:30 p.m. Sunday, watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound were called in by a good Samaritan who found a bright green, one-person kayak on the rocks, the Coast Guard said.

Coast Guard crewmembers discovered a fishing pole, bait and catch onboard the kayak, the Coast Guard said.

The Coast Guard launched a small boat crew, a Jayhawk helicopter and an Ocean Sentry aircraft to launch the search.

No one in distress was found on the water, the Coast Guard said.

Around 7:30 p.m., the kayaker contacted the Coast Guard himself to tell them he was not in distress and he did not known anyone had found his kayak.

He told the Coast Guard he had been out fishing early Sunday morning when his kayak started taking on water. He climbed out, got into the water and swamp to the beach, leaving the partially sunken kayak behind, the Coast Guard said.

The man contacted the Coast Guard after seeing photos of his kayak online and learning there was a search for him in progress, the Coast Guard said.