Man Missing at Sea Found on Life Raft after a Week, Mother Missing

NARRAGANSETT, RI—A freighter found Nathan Carman, 22, on a life raft in the ocean about 100 miles off Martha's Vineyard on Sunday, seven days after he and his mother were last seen leaving Ram's Point Marina in Point Judith for a fishing trip.

His mother, Linda Carman, 54, has not been found.

The discovery or Natan Carman comes after the U.S. Coast Guard suspended a massive search for the mother and son when they failed to return from a fishing trip aboard the aluminum 31-foot center-console Chicken Pox.

The search covered more than 62,000 square nautical miles and involved the Coast Guard and state and local authorities up and down the East Coast.

Carman was reportedly in stable condition when he was found.

On Sunday, the "Orient Lucky" freighter crew spotted Nathan Carman floating in an inflatable life raft, which is mandated safety equipment. He was hoisted aboard; the ship is expected to return to land by Tuesday.

Nathan, who is autistic, was the subject of a massive search in 2011 after he went missing upon the loss of a horse. He was eventually found in Virginia at a bus station.

The Carmans routinely went on fishing trips and were experienced with ocean travel. They reportedly traveled as far as Alaska for fishing trips.

Carman was found with food and water, according to Coast Guard Petty Officer Nicole Groll.

The Chicken Pox has not been located. Carman reportedly told authorities that he doesn't know what happened to his mother.