The U.S. Coast Guard called off a search of Portland Harbor after a two-person red kayak went adrift off Willard Beach in South Portland during a powerful nor’easter.

The kayak was spotted washed up on some rocks on Saturday morning. There were no reports of missing boaters, and the search was called off Saturday afternoon.

A 47-foot Coast Guard motor lifeboat and searchers on land were unable to get close enough to retrieve the kayak, which later drifted out to sea, said Petty Officer Geoff Potter.

It is standard procedure for the Coast Guard to launch a search when a boat is found adrift and the owner can’t immediately be accounted for.

Beth Quimby can be contacted at 791-6363 or at:

bquimby@pressherald.com

Twitter: @bquimby

Comments are no longer available on this story