A flare spotted in Portland Harbor by a bystander Friday night triggered a search by the U.S. Coast Guard.

The search was called off Saturday morning when a crew aboard a U.S. Coast Guard boat failed to find any problems or signs of someone in distress.

Chief Petty Officer Aaron Clendaniel said the bystander, standing on the Portland side of the harbor, reported spotting the flare near the Coast Guard station in South Portland at about 7:30 p.m.

A flare sighting was also reported Friday night from Rye Beach in New Hampshire.

The search crew in Portland was out for three-and-a-half hours Friday night and returned at first light on Saturday.

The search was called off when the team once again found no signs of a problem, Clendaniel said.