Coast Guard continues to search for missing kayaker near Milford, Conn.

May 9, 2010

NEW YORK – The Coast Guard is continuing to search for a male kayaker reported missing near Milford, Conn., at about 2 p.m. today.

Fengquan Guan, 33, of Beijing, was reported missing by a friend he was visiting in Milford. He is described as wearing a black sweater, black jeans, a dark gray lifejacket with black trim and using a gray double-seat kayak. Guan is of Chinese descent.

“Despite the warmer weather we’ve had, the water was 54 degrees when we started searching,” said Mark Averill, Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound’s search and rescue planner. “It is a dangerous situation because hypothermia can set in rather quickly. The man was wearing a lifejacket, which increases his chances for survival. We will continue to search throughout the night and into the morning.”

The man left Milford around 11 a.m. for a quick trip up the beach and back, according to his friend. When he didn't return as scheduled, his friend notified the Milford Police Department, who then notified the Coast Guard.

A rescue boat crew from Coast Guard Station New Haven and the Coast Guard Cutter Sailfish are currently on scene conducting searches.

Rescue helicopter and Falcon jet crews from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod were also on scene conducting aerial searches throughout the day, but have since been released from the case due to nightfall. They may be recalled for searches in the morning.

Other agencies that conducted on-water searches include:

Milford Police and Fire Department
West Haven Fire Department, Marine Unit
Stratford Police Department
East Haven Marine 1
Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection

Current weather on scene is reported as two to three-foot seas, winds gusting to about 23 miles-per-hour and the water temperature is 50 degrees.

Anyone with information is asked to contact their local police department or Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound at 203-468-4401.

(Information in this document has been updated from the previous release.)

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