Groton -- The Coast Guard and local police and firefighters began searching for a man and woman who were reported overdue late Sunday afternoon after going kayaking off Avery Point early in the morning.

The Coast Guard identified the pair as Spencer Mugford, 21, and Sophia McKenna, 20. The Coast Guard could not immediately provide their hometowns.

They were last seen aboard a white tandem kayak via social media at 2 a.m. Sunday in the water off of the University of Connecticut's Avery Point campus. Mugford was last seen wearing a blue tank top and salmon shorts.

Groton City police said a family member contacted police later Sunday to say the pair were missing. Police then notified the Coast Guard. 

A MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod and a 45-foot boat from Coast Guard Station New London are involved in the search. Boats from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, state police and area fire departments are also assisting.

Anyone with information is requested to please contact the Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound command center at (203) 468-4401, Groton City police at (860) 445-2451 or state police at (860) 848-6500.