A civilian report of an overturned kayaker this past Sunday afternoon, July 13 lead to an exhaustive search of local waters by United States Coast Guard officers.

Chief William C. Armstrong of the USCG at Boothbay Harbor reported today that the Coast Guard searched for the kayaker for several hours along the coast of Ocean Point and Linekin Bay. He and several other crew members went out on lifeboats to search for the person for more than five hours; they also employed use of a helicopter.

"There was a report of a kayaker in distress," Armstrong told the Boothbay Register. He noted that both his own crew and those of the Boothbay Fire Department immediately went out looking for the kayaker.

Armstrong said the Coast Guard received additional reports during its search that the kayaker was up and paddling and that he made it to shore. This was confirmed by Boothbay Fire Chief Dick Spofford, but the Coast Guard continued its search beyond the time it received that information. Armstrong said his crew made the additional effort to ensure the area was safe.

"We exhausted every means we could have used to make sure no one was left out there," Armstrong continued.

He said the Coast Guard Sector Northern New England, based in Portland, provided search orders and parameters for the local unit. Although Armstrong said he commands his crew in Boothbay Harbor, the local unit here reports back to Portland and also receives orders from that station.

Armstrong commended the work the Boothbay Fire Department completed. He said the Coast Guard did not officially work alongside the fire department during the search, but he applauded the efforts of his own men and of the fire department for helping to secure the area.