Unmanned kayak leads to search

NEW ORLEANS - The Coast Guard is searching for the owner of an unmanned kayak floating in Choctawhatchee Bay, Fla., beginning in the early afternoon of June 2. Coast Guard Sector Mobile, Ala., received a report at 12:08 p.m. from a good Samaritan vessel about the unmanned kayak located one mile south of Boggy Bayou near Panama City. The red Perception Sport ‘Pescador 12 kayak is about 10-to-12 feet long. A dolphin-themed boogie board is in tow of the kayak. The kayak had two zip lock bags, one with fishing bait inside. An urgent marine information broadcast was issued over VHF radio on channel 16. CG Air Station New Orleans launched an MH-65 aircrew and a CG Station Destin launched a 24-foot Shallow Water Craft boat crew. The Okaloosa County Sheriff's office is also searching the area. If you have any information about the owner of the kayak, please contact Sector Mobile’s Command Center at (251)-441-6211. (Coast Guard 06/02/20)