Search underway for missing kayaker

SWAMPSCOTT, Mass. (WHDH) -- A search continues for a 23-year-old man who was kayaking on Nahant Bay Saturday.

“Everyone's hoping for the best. The water's been pretty choppy all afternoon and it's been getting worse,” said onlooker, Gerri Harte.

A coastguard helicopter and search and rescue boats were sent out in the dark to comb the waters for the kayaker. His girlfriend reported him missing just about an hour before his boat turned up.

On the way into Swampscott, signs warn of dangerous conditions on the water and high tides.

“You could tell that a storm was brewing. There were thunderstorms in the area. They were saying that the storms in Amherst and western Mass. were coming out here,” said Desiree Gil, who lives on Nahant Bay.

The coastguard said a kayaker set out from Fisherman's Beach for a fishing trip around 4 p.m. His kayak was found four hours later just west of that beach.

The helicopter was called back due to the weather, but the boats will stay out on the water, searching throughout the night.

Stay with 7NEWS and WHDH.com for updates to this developing story. If you have information related to the story, please e-mail newstips@whdh.com.