A 32-year-old kayaker from Eastport died from hypothermia after his kayak overturned, and he was later found near The Wolves, between Blacks Harbour and Grand Manan, about five miles beyond the northern tip of Campobello.
     Nathan Austin Shahan had last been seen between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 31, between Deer Island and Campobello, after launching his kayak from either Eastport or Lubec, relatives believe. The tide would just have been beginning to ebb soon after 1 p.m. The following morning, shortly before 6 a.m. EST, police received a report that the body of a man was located along with a kayak near The Wolves and brought on board a Cooke Aquaculture boat. The body was turned over to police and the coroner at the Blacks Harbour wharf. An investigation by the West District RCMP confirmed his identity and ruled out any foul play. According to Sgt. Chris Henderson of the St. George detachment, the body was found next to the overturned kayak. "It's tragic," he notes.
     Shahan, known as Austin, had moved to Eastport last November and was living at a house on Bayview Drive, Carlow Island. His mother, Cynthia Shahan, and sister, Mira, came to Eastport after being informed of his death by the police. They are not sure where Austin was headed, although they believe he was going north on an adventure, camping along the way. They also are not sure how experienced a kayaker he was. He was paddling a red, 16-foot sea kayak and was wearing a dry suit, although not one that protects against hypothermia. They believe he may have had some trouble balancing his gear in the kayak.
     Cynthia says her son had a muscular physique and liked boxing and wrestling. They note that Austin's brother knew he was going on an adventure off-grid, and he had just left his job writing articles for an online publication, cleantechnica.com, for which used a pen name.
     His mother says he was a naturalist who made his living as an environmental writer. She notes he was "a brilliant writer" and was very passionate about the environment and issues ranging from plastics in the oceans to solar homes. "He was worried about the compromised regulations of the EPA [Environmental Protection Agency]", she says, adding that although he was not politically involved he "was concerned about anything that might hurt the waters or the air we breathe or the land." He also wrote about energy conservation issues and how to conserve energy in homes.
     His mother and sister are looking for the 2017 Jeep Cherokee that he owned that may have had Colorado license plates. He was originally from Florida but had last been living in Colorado, before moving to Eastport. They are seeking information from anyone who knew him and can be contacted at 941-320-6844, <mirabai111@gmail.com> or <cynthia.irene21@gmail.com>.

Risks of kayaking in area
     Concerning the risks of kayaking in this area of the Bay of Fundy, kayaking guide Tessa Ftorek of Eastport cautions, "Nobody should go on the water without an experienced local guide." If that's not possible, they should speak with local fishermen about where to go and what risks to watch out for. "The currents are unlike anywhere else in the world," says Ftorek. "You're at the mercy of the ocean here. It's not for novice kayakers." She adds, "Conditions can change in a heartbeat." Also when the wind is against the tide, standing waves "can flip you in a blink." While a dry suit will keep the water out it will not keep one warm. The water temperature in this area is presently 44 degrees, and, at that temperature, exhaustion or unconsciousness from hypothermia can occur within 30 to 60 minutes.
     Ftorek advises that kayakers should have a VHF radio strapped to their body, be wearing a personal flotation device and carry an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) to alert rescuers to their position. She also notes that anyone going kayaking should tell someone where they are going and when they expect to return.