Edited: With Sadness and Regret. Fisherman David Oakes of South Thomaston Maine
It has been noted that Fisherman David Oakes of South Thomaston Maine has passed. It appears he had acquired the F/V Terra Nova, and was excited to be bringing her home. David “Oakesey” Oakes was living a dream. The father of five, grandfather, son, uncle and friend of many many people was bound for Rockland Me on his big dragger F/V Terra Nova with son in law Jason Randall.
An entry on David’s Facebook page on Oct 24th said, “on my way to glouster to get my big dragger whooooo” . Excited he was! The published report at uscgnews told some of the story, but didn’t tell the whole story.
Sadly, the rest of the story is one of tragedy.
They had departed Gloucester with no indication of anything of concern out of the ordinary.
Around 20:30, the Coast Guard received a call on Channel 16 that the vessel was taking on water when they discovered six feet of it in the flooding forecastle. They relayed that the pumps would not keep up with the flooding.
David Oakes and Jason Randall donned their survival suits and abandoned the sinking vessel. As they were getting ready to go over the side, Jason lost his footing and David Oakes grabbed him, and tossed him towards and over the rail before he jumped.
It is believed he was pulled under as Terra Nova slipped under the waves and into the darkness of the Atlantic, three miles East of Cape Ann.
It was mentioned that he had a head injury, possibly receiving it when he was sucked under as the vessel went down.
David is being credited for saving his son in law, Jason Randall.
He is survived by his mother, four daughters, a son, and three adoring nieces
More information when available. A Fisherman’s Song for David Oakes. 21:43 edited 10/27/2013 21:24
So very sad r,I.p David you no that old saying only the good die young well now we know its true
I will never forget you David. Fishing and Hunting and building a bridge down at the brook. You had a heart of Gold. I will be thinking of you every day. Uncle Mike
Sounds like one hell of a man. So sad to hear this news. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
How could the CG. have failed to report this initially?
You will never be forgotten going to miss you so much !!!!love you
prayers to the family
I don’t know what to say………….sadness is how I feel. What a great guy!!
this is a great tribute. my thoughts are with the Oakes family.
A GREAT FISHERMAN AND FRIEND WILL BE MISSED DEARLY HOPE TO SEA YOU OUT ON THE SEA AGAIN SOON SMILING
David was my second cousin. My mom told me I’ve met him when I was a little girl, but I don’t remember him. Knowing my cousin passed away by saving someone else’s life makes me very proud to call him my cousin. It was such a selfless thing to do, and it goes to show what an amazing man he truly was. Rip cousin David.<3
David Oakes was my first cousin. He and I spent many summers together on our grandfathers lobsterboat, baiting, plugging and eating bologna sandwiches with butter that Gram made for us. We grew up together, he tormented me and my sisters but he was always the one we would run to for protection. David lived by his own set of rules. He was crazy and fearless. I spent most of my adult life being scared for him and his journey, but comforted in the knowledge that he was out there living his life. My heart is broken that he is no longer with us, each time I look into his son’s big brown eyes I see the little boy that I once knew and loved. I pray that he and our Pop Scott have reunited and are on the open sea together again -as it was in the beginning it should be in the end.
You will be sadly missed david, RIP.
RIP David