Newburyport officials and the Coast Guard searched the Merrimack River after a person was seen clinging to the side of a small boat early Wednesday morning.

At about 8 a.m., local police and fire departments received reports of a person missing in the Merrimack River, Newburyport City Marshal Matthew Simons and Fire Chief Stephen Bradbury reported.

Witnesses at the scene told the authorities a person was seen clinging to the side of a small skiff boat in the river.

First responders located the boat drifting in the Merrimack but did not find the occupant, police and fire officials said.

Authorities launches a search for the missing person, with Newburyport Police and Fire, State Police, the U.S. Coast Guard and other area mutual aid partners assisting.

The Coast Guard reported Wednesda

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