Three kayakers lose way in Casco Bay fog

PORTLAND – The Coast Guard said three kayakers paddled to safety Monday after spending the night on an uninhabited island in Casco Bay after they became disoriented in the fog.

Cindy McNett of Topsham and Mike and Ellen Handa, of Andover, Mass., were seen leaving Jewell Island in Casco Bay on Sunday, planning an hour-long crossing to Basin Point, near Harpswell. But they quickly got lost in a heavy fog bank, the Coast Guard said.

Authorities searched most of the night before calling off the search. The kayakers paddled to Great Chebeague Island early Monday morning and called family members and the Coast Guard.

McNett told the Eagle-Tribune newspaper of North Andover, Mass., that the three experienced kayakers decided to find a place to spend the night, rather than risk becoming even more disoriented in the fog.

“We didn’t want to keep paddling and find we had drifted out into the ocean,” she said.

They landed on Bangs Island and spent a cold, wet night without sleeping bags or tents. “What was uncomfortable was the passing rain showers,” Michael Handa said.