Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Mysteriously Empty Kayak, Full Of Belongings, Found Floating In DUMBO
By
Jen Chung
Published Jul 13, 2016
Modified Jul 13, 2016
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Gothamist
View all 7
By
Jen Chung
Published Jul 13, 2016
Modified Jul 13, 2016
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Police officers, firefighters and parks staff stood along the shore of the East River in Brooklyn Bridge Park this afternoon, investigating a kayak that was discovered in the water. Inside the kayak were a water bottle, Clif Bars and a plastic container of trail mix. An oar was seen floating in the water—but there was no sign of a kayak owner.
The kayak was discovered around 1:30 p.m., near Plymouth and Main Streets. Anthony Lopena, a bystander who works in DUMBO, said a passerby called 911 about the kayak in the water. The police pulled it out and put it on the path in front of St. Ann's warehouse.

(Jen Chung / Gothamist)
"The oar was [initially] in the water," Lopena said, adding that other items—a shoe, what looked to be an ID and a bottle of suntan lotion—"only started appearing a half hour later."
A number of NYPD boats were in the water, and a police officer stood on a rocky outcropping, pointing at the river at times.

(Jen Chung / Gothamist)
A police spokesman didn't have any details about the kayak and whether the authorities were looking for someone. We'll update as we know more.
Tagged
dumbo
east river
kayak
mystery
original
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Peepapalooza: NYC is heading to the Hudson Valley to watch the leaves
Don't be surprised if you run into someone from your building in Beacon.
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
Sean Carlson
Published Oct 24, 2026 at 10:46 a.m. ET
NYPD: Officer shot, injured knife-wielding woman during ‘chaotic’ night at Queens home
The woman is in stable condition, police said, but several people were stabbed.
By
Ryan Kost
News
NYPD: Officer shot, injured knife-wielding woman during ‘chaotic’ night at Queens home
The woman is in stable condition, police said, but several people were stabbed.
By
Ryan Kost
3 slates vying to run Jersey City school board as city stares down major tax hikes
By
Michael Sol Warren
5 men charged with trespassing in 2 Manhattan manhole cases
By
Charles Lane
6-year-old girl breaks leg after getting hit by falling bricks in Queens
By
Charles Lane
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .