Boat with dad, 2 kids on board found off Scituate after Coast Guard search

Three missing boaters were found safe off Scituate early Monday after a 39-year-old man and his two children failed to return home from a trip after setting out from Provincetown.

The U.S. Coast Guard said the family was located off Scituate in their 20-foot Wellcraft boat with "no injuries," around 3:30 a.m. after they were spotted by a helicopter. A  search was launched for Mike Ryan and his children, ages 5 and 6, after they left the Provincetown boat ramp Sunday morning and failed to return home.

"We aren't sure exactly when they broke down or how long they were floating," said Chief Warrant Officer TJ Malvesti.

There was no radio on board so Ryan couldn't call for help, but luckily, he had a float plan.

"That's telling a family member or friend what time you're leaving, where you're going, and what time you're coming back."

The family told Boston 25 News Ryan's sister called for help around 11 p.m. Sunday.

At least four USCG crews were involved in the search. The boat, towed by a Coast Guard vessel, arrived in Scituate Harbor just before 6:30 a.m.

"We were able to use the wind and current to predict where the boat was going to be," said Malvesti. "It was a very successful rescue and we're really happy it turned out the way it did."

The boaters were heading to Plymouth after spending the night in Provincetown, according to a Coast Guard official.

Coast Guard officials say the engine apparently failed on the recreational boat.

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