Search Called Off After Missing Kayaker Found On Island Near Cuttyhunk

FAIRHAVEN - A missing kayaker is found alive after his unmanned vessel was spotted Tuesday morning.

Fairhaven Deputy Fire Chief Todd Correia tells WBSM News an unmanned 12-foot yellow kayak was seen floating in the waters in the outside channels beyond New Bedford and Fairhaven at 7:51 a.m. Tuesday. There were several personal effects in the kayak, and a lunch box was found in the water about a mile from where the kayak was originally found.

A search involving fire departments and harbormasters from Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, New Bedford, Dartmouth, and Westport, along with the U.S. Coast Guard was launched for the missing kayaker.

At about 10 a.m., the missing kayaker, 48-year-old Robert Kaminski called watchstanders at Sector Southeastern New England and reported he was sailing Monday night to Cuttyhunk Island from Gooseberry Neck Island when a wave knocked him out of his kayak.

He said he tried to stay with the kayak as long as possible, but the seas were too rough. He swam to Nashawena Island and fell asleep from exhaustion. When he awoke, he went to a house on the island to let people know he was ok.

Kaminski was wearing his life jacket.

The man was found on Nashawena Island near Cuttyhunk at 10am. The search was officially called off at 10:05 a.m.

Kaminski was picked up by a Coast Guard helicopter and taken to Cape Cod Hospital in Barnstable. He is reported to be in good condition.