BOSTON – A missing Marshfield, Mass. boater was located in the North River in Norwell, Mass. at about 7 a.m. Sunday.
Brad Jenkins, 23, is unharmed after drifting in his boat all night after running out of gas since leaving a fireworks display at Peggotty Beach in Scituate, Mass.
A Norwell Harbor Master boat crew found Jenkins, who was being towed by a recreational boater back to his mooring in Marshfield. The harbor master took over the tow and brought Jenkins back.
Jenkins told authorities he arrived at his mooring in Marshfield after returning from the fireworks display, but decided to head further up river for a boat ride. He then ran out of gas and drifted around the river all night long.
An earlier report that Jenkins’ mooring was in Quincy, Mass. was incorrect. The Coast Guard’s search efforts focused on the area near Scituate Harbor and the North River in Marshfield.
Jenkins said he had a cell phone on the boat, but lost it earlier in the evening and was unable to call for help. He said he could not get to shore due to the strong currents in the area.
Jenkins was not under the influence of alcohol when he was located.
Jenkins father called the Coast Guard at 4 a.m. Sunday after becoming concerned when his son did not return from Peggotty Beach.
“We are glad Mr. Jenkins is safe,” said Ensign Brendan R. Salerno at Coast Guard Sector Boston. “We encourage boaters to always check to make sure their gas tank is full before they get underway, and have a way to call for help should they ever get in trouble out on water. We also would like to thank the Scituate Police Dept., and the Scituate and Norwell harbor masters for assisting us in this search.”
