Coast Guard hunting for missing boater

The Coast Guard is engaged in a search for a possible missing kayaker who was last seen this afternoon off the mouth of Oyster Creek near Highland Beach just south of Annapolis.

The Coast Guard was contacted this afternoon by a man aboard a sailboat who came upon a man paddling his kayak. A short time later, the sailor saw the kayak drifting, without the man, who was believed to be about 30 years old. The kayak's paddle and a lifejacket were found nearby, but the man who was on it was nowhere in sight.

A Maryland State Police helicopter, four Department of Natural Resources boats and boats from Anne Arundel and Queen's Anne counties searched for the missing man but could not find him. DNR officers recovered the kayak, but were unable to determine who owns the craft from information found on the boat's hull.

As of 10:45 p.m. tonight, a Coast Guard helicopter continued to search the area of the bay south of the Bay Bridge for the missing kayaker who was wearing plaid shorts and a dark shirt.

There was a small-craft advisory on the bay that extends until 6 a.m. Wednesday. The water temperature in the bay is about 59 degrees.