On Tuesday evening the Rye PD used a drone and thermal imaging to search for a reported lost kayaker in the area of Transport Rock off Edith Read Sanctuary and Playland. The PD called off the search after over three hours of searching with its own resources and those of other neighboring towns. It now believes the original report was unfounded.
Originally PD received a report around 6:45pm Tuesday of a vessel in distress on Long Island Sound in the area of Transport Rock. Witnesses stated they observed a kayak with red and green lights off Edith Read Sanctuary. The witnesses lost sight of the kayak and feared it overturned.
An extensive search was conducted by the City of Rye Police and neighboring jurisdictions. The search was assisted by the a Rye PD drone which is equipped with an infrared thermal imaging camera. The imaging provided by the drone was instrumental in quickly clearing large sections of shoreline.
Ultimately the search was suspended at 10:00 pm pending further information. Currently the City of Rye Police Department does not have a report of an overdue or missing party and the original report appears to be unfounded. The City of Rye Police worked with the Greenwich Police Marine Unit, Mamaroneck Police Marine Unit, New Rochelle Police Harbor Unit and Westchester County Police Aviation Unit on the search.
This video shows the power of the drone and thermal imaging technology:
