A report of an “unmanned life raft” in Potter’s Cove triggered a multi-agency search of the area shortly after 5 p.m. on Monday.

Portsmouth Fire Department and responding crews were tied up for 1 hour during the search.

The “life raft” was located and determined to be a recreational flotation device by first responders, they say it was likely left behind by the party goers and boaters that attended Aquapalooza over the weekend.

Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020). He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide. Ryan...