The U.S. Coast Guard and Newburyport, Massachusetts police and fire department dive teams have suspended a large search for a missing boater in the Merrimack River. 

Newburyport City Marshal Matthew Simons and Fire Chief Stephen Bradbury said witnesses told them a person was seen clinging to the side of a small skiff boat in the Merrimack River around 8 a.m. Wednesday.

"At 7:08 p.m., the U.S. Coast Guard and local first responders, after searching for a combined 14 hours, and pending no further developments, suspended the active search," the Coast Guard said Wednesday night. "Our deepest condolences go out to the family and loved ones during this difficult time."

Boat found adrift in Merrimack River

The Coast Guard said the boat was tied to a dock but it became loose and the person "entered the water in attempts to recover it."

According to authorities, someone saw the small skiff boat adrift in the river and heard the person yelling for help on the other side of the boat. Then, the yelling suddenly stopped.

"The Reporting party did not see (the) person go under and or resurface," U.S. Coast Guard spokesperson Keira Shantry said in a statement.

"First responders located the boat drifting in the river, and are searching for the occupant," Newburyport police and fire said in a joint statement earlier Wednesday. 

Coast Guard search

The Coast Guard had a helicopter over the river and at least one vessel in the water for the search. They were joined by Newburyport Police and Fire and Massachusetts State Police along with several other agencies. The search was conducted by side scan sonar and drones in addition to helicopters.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Coast Guard at (857) 416-3015.

Richard Bornemann is a regular boater in the area and said the conditions can get dangerous at times.

"You always want to be incredibly careful going out through the mouth, and sometimes it can change in a couple hours. I've been down there with friends in the bigger boat and we're all kind of yelling and screaming like it's a carnival ride, but it really gets your attention," he said.

Newburyport, Massachusetts is about 38 miles north of Boston near the New Hampshire border.