Tag Archives: F/V Misty Blue
National Transportation Safety Board Report on U.S. Fishing Vessel Accidents
For the eighth year, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its “Safer Seas Digest 2020,”,,, While the report examines all maritime accidents, from inland towing to cargo ships, this article will focus on five notable fishing vessel incidents that occurred in 2019. A significant contributing causal factor to the fishing vessel accidents is crew fatigue. The NTSB noted in the digest that an effective way to prevent fatigue among crewmembers is for owners/operators to have measures in place to ensure that crewmembers receive enough rest to adequately perform navigational and lookout duties. >click to read< 08:52
NTSB says clam tank flooding likely caused fatal sinking
Federal investigators have determined that the likely cause of the sinking of fishing boat off the coast of Nantucket in 2017 that claimed the lives of two crewmembers was flooding in one of the vessel’s clam tanks. The National Transportation Safety Board in its Feb. 6 report said although flooding in the Misty Blue’s port clam tank was the “probable cause” of the sinking, how the water got in remains undetermined. >click to read<15:50
PFD’s: Fishing is a deadly business, but many fishermen won’t wear life preservers
One rogue wave or false step, an ankle caught in a line, is all it takes to cast a fisherman overboard. But those risks have never been enough to convince Rick Beal that it’s worth wearing a life preserver. Even though he has never learned how to swim. Commercial fishing ranks among the most dangerous professions, but fishermen — fiercely independent and resistant to regulations — have long shunned life preservers, often dismissing the flotation devices as inconvenient and constraining. click here to read the story 14:46 
F/V Misty Blue: Bodies of missing fishermen found and recovered
The bodies of the two missing fisherman from the Misty Blue have been found by state police divers, a department spokesman announced this evening. “Our divers recovered two bodies from the sunken vessel Misty Blue today. The first recovery was at 10:30 a.m., the second at 4:20 p.m. We offer our deepest condolences to their families. I have no further information to relay,” said spokesman Dave Procopio. The search for the missing men was called off Dec. 5. That same night state police announced they had found the sunken boat. click here to read the story. 18:51
State Police Divers Search for F/V Misty Blue Fishermen
State police divers are searching the waters off Nantucket for two fishermen who were aboard the vessel Misty Blue when it sank Dec 4, a spokesman said. Lt. Tom Ryan a Massachusetts State Police spokesman, confirmed today that divers are searching for the two missing fishermen. He did not have any other details. Mondays dive followed the postponement of at least five State Police dives because of weather conditions. click here to read the story 14:53
A Fundraiser for the Family of Fisherman Mike Roberts
On December 4, 2017, Mike Roberts lost his life when the Misty Blue clamming boat sunk 10 miles off the coast of Nantucket. Mike left behind his wife of almost 10 years Tammy, along with her four children, Ryan, Breanne, Kalie and Kevin, which Mike thought of as his own. Mike was loved by everyone in the community but most of all by his granddaughter Aaliyah. Mike’s death has left his family with a great financial hardship. Mike went on this trip with the intention of his salary to pay for their family’s Christmas. With Mike gone, Tammy is left in a one paycheck family to run the household and cover his final expenses. Please help the Roberts family keep Mike’s memory alive by donating what you can. Bright blessings to you and your family and Happy Holidays. click here to donate if you can. 07:15
Jack Spillane: In gratitude for fishermen
They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; 24 These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep. Psalm 107 Misty Blue In the wake of its tragic destiny, even the name seems to betoken sadness. Misty Blue, of course, could also bring piece of mind and beauty. And surely there was a time when the rugged guys who worked the surf clammer on a gentle Atlantic day thought about their boat that way. Click here to read the story 22:24
New Bedford again grieves for its sons lost to the sea
The loss of two fishermen in the sinking of a clamming boat this week stunned this port city long familiar with the dangers of the sea. New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell called the Misty Blue tragedy “a stark reminder of the dangers inherent in commercial fishing,” adding that it “underscores the respect and appreciation we have for those who make their living at sea.” He said the city pledges its support for the families of the lost crew members of the Misty Blue — Jonathan Saraiva and Michael Roberts. click here to read the story 11:38
F/V Misty Blue: Divers will look for missing fishing boat Thursday
The Coast Guard has suspended its search for the two fishermen who went missing after their boat sank off the coast of Nantucket, and because of the current weather conditions, State Police divers are waiting until Thursday to go into the water and confirm the location of the sunken vessel. click here to read the story 13:04
Lawsuit alleges sunken fishing boat was ‘unseaworthy’
A lawsuit filed less than a month ago alleges the now-sunken fishing vessel “Misty Blue” was unseaworthy. The Coast Guard suspended the search for the missing crew members Michael Roberts, 44, and Jonathan Saraiva, 32, Tuesday night after the vessel sank about 10 miles off the coast of Nantucket Monday night. According to court documents, the $1.5 million civil lawsuit was brought by a Fairhaven fisherman who claims that he was seriously injured in September due to the captain and crew’s negligence and the “unseaworthiness” of the Misty Blue. click here to read the story 08:52
Coast Guard suspends search for 2 missing fishermen
The Coast Guard suspended its search Tuesday at 8 p.m. for two missing fishermen near Nantucket, pending the development of new information. The fishermen originally went missing Monday evening after their boat, Misty Blue, sunk approximately 10 miles southeast of Nantucket. Two other crewmembers were rescued by a nearby good Samaritan. The Coast Guard, along with state and local agencies and good Samaritans searched for 42 asset hours saturating a 1,605 square nautical mile area. link 21:18
F/V Misty Blue – Search continues for missing fishermen; names released
The Coast Guard and Massachusetts State Police divers are continuing to search today for two missing crew members from the Misty Blue, according to a Coast Guard spokesperson. Michael Roberts, 44, and Jonathan Saraiva, 32, went missing after the Misty Blue rolled over and sank at around 6:30 p.m. Monday, 10 miles off of Nantucket, according to Atlantic Capes Fisheries Inc., which owns the surf clam harvesting vessel. Four members occupied the vessel when the incident happened. Two men, Misty Blue’s Captain Eric Arabian, 44, and a crew member, Colby McMullen 22, were rescued by the fishing vessel Enterprise. click here to read the story 12:35
Wife of missing boater says he was in galley – click here to read the story
F/V Misty Blue Missing – 2 Rescued, Coast Guard searching for 2 crew members
The U.S. Coast Guard Northeast is searching for two crewmen who were aboard a vessel in distress 10 miles off the coast of Nantucket on Monday. The mission was launched following an EPIRB alert. We will update this as we receive more information. (photo credit Jim Dills)
Wife of missing fisherman speaks out as search continues – click here to read the story 08:37
Coast Guard searching for 2 crew members following vessel in distress off Nantucket – click here to read the story02:16
2 rescued, 2 missing as Coast Guard searches for Misty Blue off Nantucket – click here to read the story
Coast Guard, local agencies searching for 2 fisherman near Nantucket from 4 man crew
Coast Guard crews along with local agencies and good Samaritans are searching for two fisherman after their fishing boat sank Monday evening 10 miles southeast of Nantucket. At approximately 6:10 pm the First Coast Guard District command center received a distress call via an emergency positioning indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) from the 69-foot fishing vessel Misty Blue with four crewmembers aboard. The fishing boat Enterprise was in the area rescued two of the crewmembers and transferred them to Coast Guard Cutter Steelhead. Coast Guard and local agencies are currently searching for the remaining two crewmembers. Link 21:53
Coast Guard frees fishing boat from ice in Quicks Hole Passage
A Coast Guard crew responded to a fishing vessel trapped in ice in Quicks Hole Passage, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, Friday. At about 10 a.m., watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England were notified that the 69-foot fishing vessel Misty Blue was stuck in ice north of the passage. Read the rest here 15:59
