According to watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Northern New England, a Maine Fisheries and Wildlife officer heard the audio clip of the mayday call on the news and recognized the kayaker's voice. The officer contacted his office and obtained a phone number for the man, Adrian Cerezo, who was on Petit Manan, Maine. The officer confirmed Cerezo was the kayaker search crews were looking for.
Cerezo later spoke to the Coast Guard and reported a wave had initially knocked him out of his kayak. He said his radio was water resistant, but not in a waterproof case. He wasn't sure if anyone heard his mayday call before the radio stopped working. Cerezo said he was able to swim to Bois Bubert Island with his kayak, get back in it, and paddle back to Petit Manan.
"It's incredibly fortunate we located him safe on land," said Ken Stuart, a command duty officer at Sector Northern New England. He said responders treat every search as if someone is in distress, and if safe, they are encouraged to notify the authorities.
Stuart said Cerezo was wearing a winter wetsuit and a life jacket.
"He absolutely did the right thing by researching the water temperature, recognizing the need to dress for the 49-degree water, and wear a lifejacket, all of which contributed to keeping him safe once things went wrong," said Stuart.
No injuries were reported.
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