Coast Guard Suspends Search Off Bullocks Point Monday

EAST PROVIDENCE, RI — The Coast Guard has suspended a search off Bullocks Point for some boaters who sent off distress flares Sunday night, Lt. John Mansolillo said. A good Samaritan saw the flares and also saw a boat that appeared to have run aground, he said. The flares were spotted around 9 p.m., and the East Providence Fire Department, the Marine Task Force and the Coast Guard started searching. But no one was found, and the boat that had been reported run aground also was not found.

"A Coast Guard 45-foot rescue boat from Station Castle Hill searched last night along with local partners," Public Affairs Ofc. Andrew Barresi said. "Another search was conducted this morning at first light. Nothing was found and there are no correlating overdue boaters or missing persons reports."

"The case is suspended, pending further developments," Lt. Mansolillo said. The boaters may have managed to move the boat off the rocks and get underway. The Coast Guard would like them to confirm they set off the flares. He stressed they're not in any trouble with the Coast Guard.

"We're looking for more information," he said. "We couldn't correlate the two" incidents, meaning no one is positive the boat seen on the rocks was the same one connected with the flares.

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