MARION — An unmanned two-person paddle boat was found in Buzzards Bay roughly two nautical miles south of Butler’s Point in Marion resulting in the Buzzards Bay Task Force activating a search at 9:01 a.m. on Tuesday, June 11.

A good samaritan who was fishing in the area reported the drifting boat to The Coast Guard. According to Coast Guard Petty Officer Sean McGinnis, members of the New Bedford  Fire and Police Department, Fairhaven Fire Department, as well as the Harbor Master, and Fire Departments of Marion and Mattapoisett conducted a two hour long search of surrounding waters and shoreline extending from Mattapoisett to the Cape Cod Canal. The U.S Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England served as the Incident Commander during the search.

Officer McGinnis, and Mattapoisett Fire Chief Andrew Murray both confirmed that there is no reason to suspect any casualties or missing persons associated with the boat. Murray added that it was likely swept away by the tide.

Murray said that owners of boats, even small unregistered ones like the one found in Buzzards Bay, should have their name and contact information posted somewhere on, or inside their boat to easily identify them in situations like these.

To claim the missing boat, or provide information on the potential owner, call  the Coast Guard at 508-457-3211.