New London — Reports of an overturned kayak had the Coast Guard searching the mouth of the Thames River late Monday afternoon.

Mark Averill, command duty officer for Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound, said the search is a precautionary measure. Groton and New London police departments have not received any reports of missing persons or stolen kayaks, he said.

There is no indication of someone in the water but a capsized boat automatically triggers a search.

He said the red kayak was spotted by the Navy Monday afternoon, while escorting a submarine out of the Thames River. He said the bow of the kayak was sticking out of the water.

In addition to a search of the water by a boat from Coast Guard Station New London, Averill said there was also a search along the shoreline.

Averill said the shoreline search revealed all sorts of debris, including unsecured boats, kayaks and beach toys that are likely to end up in the water during windy conditions or with the higher than normal tides over the past few days. He recommended that boat and kayak owners secure their vessels to keep them from floating away.

 - Greg Smith