Boater Found Safe After 12-Hour Search Around Fairhaven

FAIRHAVEN (CBS) – A boater who was missing for 12 hours off the coast of Fairhaven turned up safe early Saturday morning.

Gary Alves was reported missing Friday evening around 5:30 p.m. after he went out for an afternoon sail and never returned to work.

His kayak was later found on the shore of nearby West Island and a large scale search was launched.

Searchers from Fairhaven police and fire, along with several other local departments, environmental police and the Coast Guard spent the night searching for Alves.

An officer spotted him walking on the beach around 5:30 a.m. Saturday.

The officer who found Alves reported he appeared fatigued.

Alves told officials he had been struck in the head with the boom of his boat and knocked unconscious.

He said when he woke up lying in a marsh area. Alves was taken to St. Luke's Hospital for evaluation. There was no immediate word on his condition.