Coast Guard Locates Missing Mariner In Rhode Island

TIVERTON, RI — A missing 80-year-old was found safe in Rhode Island waters after an extensive search of Buzzards Bay. Peter Horan was reported overdue by his caretaker at 11:45 Monday morning. He had left Cuttyhunk to sail to New Bedford but did not return. He was due in his cabin cruiser, Best Friends, at noon.

The Coast Guard sent crews from Air Station Cape Cod and launched boats from Woods Hole and Menemsha. There was no sign of Horan or his boat. The Coast Guard said it searched 425 square miles, roughly the size of New York City. But then a Rhode Island good Samaritan spotted Best Friends near the Sakonnet River, and Station Castle Hill in Newport went to the rescue.

Besides the Coast Guard, the New Bedford Fire Department, New Bedford Harbormaster, New Bedford Police Department, Marion Harbormaster, Mattapoiset Harbormaster, Westport Harbormaster, and Dartmouth Police Department participated in the search.

Photo Caption: Coast Guard and partner agencies were searching for Peter Horan, 80-years-old in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts on July 9, 2018, after failing to reach New Bedford when he was supposed too. Horan set sail from Cuttyhunk and was reported missing by his caretaker. Courtesy Photo Credit: Petty Ofc. 2nd Class Nicole Groll