Tag Archives: Lost at Sea
Medical Examiner Confirms Identity of Recovered Body
The Office of Chief Medical Examiner has positively identified the body recovered Sunday from the sunken fishing vessel F/V Sudden Impact as Chester Barrett of South Addison. Chester’s body was recovered after a search that began Saturday, January 18th when he and his son Aaron were reported missing. The two had been transiting from Edmunds to South Addison on board the Sudden Impact when it sank in 160 feet of water about three-quarters of a mile southwest of Moose River in eastern Washington County. Maine Marine Patrol will continue periodic patrols in the area with the goal of locating Aaron, who was not found on board or near the sunken vessel. “We share our condolences with the family and friends of Chester and Aaron during this difficult time,” said Marine Patrol Captain Colin MacDonald. 10:17
Volunteers recover body from missing Maine fishing boat ‘Sudden Impact’
The Department of Marine Resources says that divers found a body inside the cabin of the fishing boat “Sudden Impact,” which has been missing, along with its two passengers, for weeks. Two fishermen from South Addison, Chester Barrett and his son Aaron, reportedly sank in the Sudden Impact on January 18th as the two traveled from Edmunds to South Addison. The volunteer divers came from all over to aid the search, including Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Among them are Chris Ogden, Richard Simon, Bob Foster, Mark Bowers, and Harold Moyers, with surface support from Eric Simon. more, <<CLICK TO READ<< 07:06
Body Recovered from Fishing Vessel Sudden Impact.
On Sunday February 2, 2025, at approximately 7:00 a.m. a team of highly-skilled volunteer divers located and recovered a body from inside the cabin of the fishing vessel Sudden Impact. The recovered body has been transported to the medical examiner’s office for formal identification. The Maine Marine Patrol along with local fishermen and the Maine State Police/Marine Patrol Underwater Recovery Dive Team have been working to recover the body since it was first located on January 23rd inside the vessel. The F/V Sudden Impact, with Chester Barrett and his son Aaron, fishermen from South Addison, sank Saturday January 18th when the two were transiting from Edmunds to South Addison. “Throughout this difficult process, the Barrett family has led the mission to recover Chester and Aaron, supported by numerous local fishermen,” said Marine Patrol Captain Colin MacDonald. “The volunteer dive team showed exceptional skill in difficult conditions. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 15:28
‘We will never forget’: Community fills ‘Fishermen’s Church’ in annual tribute to lost trawlermen
In “The Fishermen’s Church” in St George’s Road, a community gathered today to commemorate the thousands of lives lost at sea while sailing out of Hull to put food on the nation’s tables. They number more than 6,000 men and boys who never returned to a port that was once home to the largest deep-water fishing fleet in the world. This was the 36th Annual Lost Trawlermen’s Day Service organised by Hull fishing heritage group STAND, which is held on the last Sunday in January – a particularly dangerous time of year for fishermen because of the weather. And there could be no greater illustration of that than the fact this years’ service fell 70 years to the day since the terrible loss of two Hull trawlers, Lorella and Rodrigo, who went down with the loss of all 40 hands. Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 13:47
Divers searched for missing Maine fishermen on Saturday
The family of two fishermen who went missing off the coast of Downeast Maine a week ago is hoping divers will recover the bodies of Chester Barrett and his son, Aaron Barrett, Saturday. On Wednesday night, officials located the Barretts’ fishing vessel, “Sudden Impact,” submerged in 160 feet of water near Moose Cove, between Cutler and Lubec. Commercial divers, Maine Marine Patrol officers, and volunteer fishermen were in the area Saturday afternoon to assist in the recovery efforts, according to the family. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:41
Dive Team Confirms Identify of Fishing Vessel “Sudden Impact
South Addison – At approximately 11 p.m. Wednesday, the State Police/Marine Patrol Underwater Recovery Dive Team, assisted by local fishermen, took advantage of “slack water” and utilized a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) equipped with sonar and a camera to confirm the identity of the sunken fishing vessel “Sudden Impact.” The vessel is located in 160 feet of water near Moose Cove in eastern Washington County between the towns for Cutler and Lubec in an area of strong tidal current activity. Using the ROV, crews were able to observe what is believed to be the body of an individual on board the vessel. Recovery was not possible as of last night. Chester Barrett and his son Aaron, fishermen from South Addison, have been missing since Saturday evening when the two failed to return as expected after transiting on board the “Sudden Impact” from Edmunds to South Addison. The Maine Marine Patrol will continue to work with family members of the Barretts to determine next steps, including consultation with deep water salvage and recovery experts to determine whether a recovery effort is feasible. Maine Department of Marine Resources. 12:09
Marine Patrol Continues Search Effort for South Addison Commercial Fishermen
The Maine Marine Patrol today will continue its search efforts on shore and on the water between Lubec and South Addison for Chester Barrett and his son Aaron Barrett, commercial fishermen from South Addison. The two men were reported missing Saturday evening by a family member when they failed to return as expected after transiting from Edmunds to South Addison. They were on board Chester’s fishing vessel F/V Sudden Impact. Marine Patrol began its search Saturday evening and resumed it Sunday, temporarily postponing search efforts both days due to poor visibility. Using sonar, local fishermen were able to locate an object that might be a vessel Sunday in 160 feet of water near Moose Cove at the mouth of the Moose River. Efforts by local fishermen to recover it Sunday were halted by the US Coast Guard due to safety concerns but are planned to resume today. In addition to its search efforts, Marine Patrol will be on-scene during recovery efforts to provide support. link 10:05
Officials suspend search for two fishermen who went missing in Downeast Maine
The U.S. Coast Guard has officially suspended the search for two commercial fishermen who were reported missing after they did not return to port on Saturday night. Chester Barret and his son Aaron Barrett were on board their fishing vessel F/V Sudden Impact. They planned to travel from Edmunds to South Addition. The 34-foot scallop vessel left Cobscook Bay State Park around 5 a.m. Saturday. After encountering rough conditions, they planned to seek refuge in Cutler but became unreachable, according to authorities. On Sunday night at 6 p.m. the search was called off. The Coast Guard said they searched for more than 42 hours combined and 950 square miles of ocean and coastline with the help of Marine Patrol and other agencies. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 06:10
New memorial in southeastern P.E.I. community honours fishers who were taken by the sea
Residents of Murray Harbour say a new monument will serve as a tribute to people from the community who lost their lives at sea, and an important reminder of the dangers for those who continue to take the risk of going out on the water. The southeastern P.E.I. community recently took possession of the 1,200-pound memorial that now sits at the harbour, overlooking the boats that will come and go during the busy fishing seasons. “There’s been a lot of people over the years, unfortunately, [who] never came home from the sea. It was time that we made a memorial, something to remember those people by,” said Gary MacKay, Murray Harbour’s deputy mayor. Photos, video, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 07:50
Lost at Sea
When a group of seven fishermen went missing off the northeast coast of Newfoundland in July, the small community of New-Wes-Valley was gripped with dread. Coast Guard captain Colin Roul describes the waters around Newfoundland and Labrador as dangerous and unforgiving. “Usually, when you hear distress situations like this, where no sign or sound was heard from these guys, yeah, the outcome is bleak,” he said. As 24 hours turned to 36, then 48, not much hope remained. “We knew this was going to be a regional funeral,” said Michael Tiller, mayor of New-Wes-Valley, where five of the seven men were from. “The food was ready. The place was booked. We were ready to help this town go through one of the worst disasters that it could ever go through. “But then, news of the nearly impossible — the men were found in a raft about 270 kilometres from shore. Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 07:43
F/V Elite Navigator, 10 posts, >>CLICK TO READ<<
Capsized fishing boat off Alaska coast included Oregon crew member
Before Jake Hannah, 22, left for his commercial fishing trip on Saturday night, he called his mother, who lives in his hometown of Coos Bay. “He said, ‘Hey mom, we’re getting ready to go out, I love you,’” That was our promise, “You always call me before you leave, and you always call me when you get home.” But the second call never came, she said. Instead, she learned her son’s boat, the F/V Wind Walker, had capsized in the stormy waters off the coast of Sitka, Alaska, with four other people on board. “I thought, ‘God please no, let these boys be safe,’” Carol Hannah said. “It wasn’t just Jake that I was worried about; it was the whole crew.” In his home state of Oregon, Jake Hannah continues to inspire people to remember who he was before he left for Alaska. “He was an all-around awesome guy; you couldn’t ask for a better friend,” Carol Hannah said. “He was the best son a mom could ever want.” Photos, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 14:18
F/V Wind Walker – ‘Everybody is heartbroken’: Families of 5 missing crewmembers from boat capsizing share their stories
The families of the five crew members missing after their boat capsized in Icy Strait are opening up on who their loved ones are as they anxiously await updates while holding out hope that the men may still be alive somewhere. The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search Monday after the fishing vessel Wind Walker capsized early Sunday near Point Couverden, the southern tip of a small island in Southeast Alaska. Always a lover of fishing and the ocean, Jacob’s mother Carol Hannah said he moved to Alaska from their home in Oregon roughly two years ago. She described her son as always being the life of the party who could light up a room with his larger-than-life personality. Only in Alaska for six months, 34-year-old Emilio “EJ” had only recently taken up a career in fishing, with this trip being his first time out on a boat, according to his aunt Stephanie Molt. She said the five men had been fishing for black cod before the vessel was reported to have capsized.Video, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 07:47
Missing crew from Alaska fishing boat identified
The U.S. Coast Guard has released the names of the five fishermen who went missing off the southeast Alaska coast. This comes two days after the search for their bodies and the boat has been called off. Early Sunday morning, a few miles off the coast of Juneau, Alaska, the F/V Wind Walker crew came over the radio. Just twelve miles away on a tugboat, Glenn Jahnke was serving as a mate on watch overnight. He said he heard the fear and urgency in the crew’s voice. “He said they rolled on their side, were taking on water, two people were in the water. Then the Coast Guard asked a question and there was no response after that,” Jahnke said. That was the last time the five Sitka-based crew members were heard from. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 14:54
F/V Wind Walker: Utah man, 4 others missing after fishing boat capsizes off Alaska coast
A Utah man and four others are missing after their fishing boat capsized early Sunday morning off Couverden Point, Alaska, about 24 miles southwest of Juneau. According to a press release by the U.S. Coast Guard, the search for the missing fishermen was suspended Monday morning, one day after they received a Mayday call that the vessel was overturning. Among those aboard the commercial fishing vessel Wind Walker was Alex Zamantakis, 28, who grew up in Magna. A GoFundMe account set up by family members said funds will go Zamantakis’ girlfriend, and their six-month-old son, Alex. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 12:33
The fatal truth about commercial fishing
A note from the authors: Dear readers, we have wanted to cover this story for a long time. Given the fishing tragedies this province has endured, we acknowledge this is a difficult subject. This reporting honours those lost at sea, doing what they loved most: fishing. We recognize the collective grief of families, communities and the entire province. We hope this work illuminates what’s going wrong on the water and helps bring more fish harvesters home safely. Inshore harvesters dealing with trauma after incidents like the ones we describe can access PTSD coverage through workers’ compensation (WorkplaceNL). For anyone else, 811 can connect you with mental health supports in your community.
“My god, what are you doing to me?” says Brenda Gould, remembering the words she shouted into the sky that fateful day in 1989. The Port au Choix woman had just learned that her 22-year-old son Brendan, known as Ben, drowned while fishing off the coast of the Northern Peninsula. It wasn’t the first time tragedy knocked at Gould’s door. Eleven years earlier, in 1978, her husband Gabriel, 35, also drowned while fishing. Photos, Video, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 17:41
Company to pay £100k after unsafe vessel sinks causing deaths of two fishermen
Laura D Fishing Ltd, a company operating fishing vessels from Brixham, has pleaded guilty to failing to take all reasonable steps to ensure that a vessel was operated in a safe manner, under Section 100(1) and100(3) of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. On 21 November, 2020, Robert Morley, Adam Harper and David Bickerstaff were onboard the Joanna C, five miles south of Shoreham, when the vessel’s gear snagged on the seabed. The vessel’s lack of stability meant it could not recover, causing the Joanna C to rapidly sink. Out of the three crew members, only Mr Bickerstaff survived. Prior to the incident, Joanna C, owned by Laura D Fishing, had undergone a major refit in 2019, including the addition of a whaleback, extension of the wheelhouse and fitting raised bulwarks. These, along with other modifications, affected the stability of the vessel. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 14:29
Maine lobsterman lost at sea remembered for dedication to family and friends
A Steuben teenager and lobsterman was collectively remembered for his positive attitude, wisecracks, blue eyes and bushy eyebrows when several hundred people gathered Sunday for a memorial service in a Sullivan school gymnasium. Nearly a month after Tylar Michaud, 18, went missing at sea while hauling lobster traps, and roughly 10 weeks after he graduated from Sumner Memorial High School. Michaud’s extended family, friends and members of the community gathered for a celebration of his life at the school. Michaud’s sense of humor, dedication to his family and friends, and his love of the outdoors figured prominently in their remarks. >click to read< 07:29
Community mourns young lobsterman lost at sea
Tylar Michaud’s boat, F/V Top Gun, was found Friday, July 21, southwest of Petit Manan Bar, with its engine running but no one on board. “The whole community is shaken by this,” said state Rep. Billy Bob Faulkingham, a Winter Harbor resident and himself a lobsterman. “I don’t think there’s anyone in this community that isn’t somehow connected to Tylar by family or friendship.” Michaud, a Steuben resident, was fishing alone, which carries inherent risks, but relative Michael Faulkingham said Tylar had fished for about five years on his own. He had also worked on Michael’s boat last year. “I know how careful he was and how smart he was on the boat, and how vigilant he was about paying attention and being careful,” Michael said. “He’s been a part of our family for about 11, 12 years. He was exceptionally responsible and wise on the water beyond his years.” >click to read< 08:59
Mother of Man Lost at Sea Renews Call for Dedicated Search and Rescue Services in Labrador
The mother of one of two fishermen lost at sea is renewing her calls for increased search and rescue services in Labrador before a meeting with the federal government. Jeannette Russell, the mother of Marc Russell who, along with Joey Jenkins passed away when their vessel the Island Lady sank while on a fishing trip, will join provincial Labrador Affairs minister Lisa Dempster in a meeting with the Minister of National Defence in an effort to improve emergency response on the Big Land. Russell says if she doesn’t speak out, then who will? >click to read< 10:04
Dartmouth fisherman remembered 40 years on
A Dartmouth family is remembering a crabber who was lost at sea 40 years ago today. 28 year old Paul Goddard had been crabbing off Weymouth on March 12 1983. Tragically he and his boat, the Exuberent, disappeared and he was never found. Former crew member Alan Spencer said: “She was a Cygnus Garry Mitchell design 32-foot displacement hull work boat.“ In the winter of 1981 it was decided to move her and her fishing gear to the “Over falls” off Weymouth in Dorset as fishing was rich there at that time of the year. On March 12 1983 she was being brought back to Dartmouth by the” Skipper” alone as the crew moved all the boats husbandry back to Dartmouth by road. “What happened next will never be known exactly. >click to read< 12:11
Remembering the F/V Joanna C fishing boat tragedy on second anniversary
Today we remember the second anniversary of the tragic sinking of the Joanna C fishing boat off the Sussex coast near the port of Newhaven in which two fishermen lost their lives. On the morning of 21st of November 2020 6am HM Coastguard received a EPIRB alert located around three nautical miles at Seaford near Newhaven from the vessel Joanna C. Three fishermen were on board at the time of sinking, one of them was pulled out of the water and brought to shore by the Newhaven RNLI. Unfortunately, 2 other crew were lost at sea. Adam Harper, 26, from Brixham and Robert Morley, 38, from Pembrokeshire. 2 videos, >click to read< 09:57
F/V Joanna C: Fishermen deaths were accidental, inquest says
Two fisherman died accidentally when their trawler capsized and life raft failed to inflate, an inquest has concluded. The 45ft scalloping vessel capsized after getting snagged on whelk pots, the inquest at Hastings Coroner’s Court heard. Marine Accident Investigations Branch inspector Joanna Dorman told the jury: “We don’t know what would have happened had the life raft inflated. But we do know that it had an adverse effect on the chance of surviving.” Ms. Dorman also said the vessel had been modified since its last stability analysis in 1997, and that the stability was below the level it should have been. She described the vessel at the time of the accident as being “vulnerable” to capsizing. >click to read< 15:43
Family of Robert Morley ‘bemused’ by F/V Joanna C tragedy report
Robert Morley’s stepdad and mother said the outcome of an investigation into the sinking of the F/V Joanna C had not given them the “peace of mind” they hoped for. Barry and Jackie Woolford are awaiting the inquest into Robert’s death to clear up a number of “anomalies”. The Marine Accident Investigation Branch report described how Robert was thrown from the boat as it capsized and he hung onto a lifebuoy before he eventually drowned. “We lost our son but we’re really none the wiser as to why. We know how but we don’t know why. “There are anomalies which we want to ask about at the inquest.” >click to read< 19:33
F/V Johanna C: Life raft failure blamed after fishermen deaths
Two fishermen died after their trawler capsized and their life raft failed to inflate, a report has said. Investigators said the failure of the life raft “impacted” the chances of two men surviving after they were thrown into the water when the Joanna C sank in November 2020. One of the men in the water died, but the other was later rescued. A third crew member drowned after being trapped in the sinking boat, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch said. MAIB chief inspector Andrew Moll said: “Unfortunately, Joanna C’s ‘float-free’ life raft arrangements did not work as expected. >click to read< 10:38
F/V Joanna C: Sinking findings released year after tragedy
Experts investigating the sinking of the scalloper F/V Joanna C, which went down in November last year with the loss of two lives, have completed their investigation. The crew were recovering their fishing gear when the boat capsized, the interim report confirms. A full report is now being prepared on the incident in which Brixham fisherman Adam Harper and crewmate Robert Morley died. Skipper Dave Bickerstaff was rescued from the sea after hanging on to a lifebuoy for four hours after raising the alarm. >click to read< 13:17
Daughter continues work of father lost at sea on Maine fishing boat
In January 2020, the 42-foot fishing boat Hayley Ann sank 50 miles southeast of Portland. The Coast Guard never determined what happened. No distress call was sent. Only an automated emergency beacon alerted them to the tragedy. The disaster claimed the lives of Capt. Arnold “Joe” Nickerson, 60, of Arundel and his crewman, 44-year-old Christopher Pinkham of Boothbay Harbor. >click to read< 15:58
Search suspended for crewman who went overboard from New Bedford fishing vessel
The Coast Guard on Monday morning responded to a call for a man overboard from commercial fishing vessel F/V Blue Wave, a scalloping vessel belonging Blue Harvest Fisheries. CEO Keith Decker said the vessel returned to port Tuesday morning, where crew members will meet with Coast Guard officials. He said they are waiting for the investigation to determine what happened. There were seven crew members on the vessel, including the captain and the man who went overboard. The Blue Wave left port around Friday, Decker said, and was scheduled to return after eight to 10 days. >click to read< 15:07
Organizers tell of fundraiser ‘success’ for fishermen lost at sea
Organizers of a fundraiser for a new memorial to remember a group of fishermen who tragically died at sea have described it as a “success”. Old Bills Valeting, Seaford, raised a total of £500 through a raffle and donating 10 per cent of their earnings from June as part of efforts to remember those lost at sea. Robert Morley and Adam Harper lost their lives after their boat, the Joanna C, sank in November last year. Robert’s family launched an appeal for a memorial to placed in the harbour – to remember those who have lost their lives at sea. >click to read< 07:50
A fundraiser is established for a memorial to remember fishermen who died off Newhaven coast
The family of a fisherman who tragically died when his ship sank off the coast of Newhaven are raising funds for a new memorial to remember those lost at sea. Robert Morley and Adam Harper lost their lives after their boat, the F/V Joanna C, sank in November last year. Captain Dave Bickerstaff was pulled from the water by lifeboat crews, after he was found holding on to a lifebuoy almost four hours after the tragedy. Now, months after Robert Morley was laid to rest, his family are fundraising for a memorial to placed in the harbour to remember those who have lost their lives at sea. photos, >click to read< Memorial for our lost fisherman – Thanks to everyone for donating and sharing, we are receiving amazing support this is obviously close to our hearts as it is to Adams and Darren’s families , this memorial will also stand as a tribute to all fishermen and women a memorial for Newhaven is long overdue, >click to read, and please donate if you can< 07:49
1 year after tragic sinking, St. Lawrence marks anniversary with memorials to those lost at sea
The heartache is still as fresh as it was one year ago for Kerri Lynn Kettle. Kettle lost her husband, Isaac Kettle, when the fishing vessel Sarah Anne sank off St. Lawrence in May 2020. Now, she’s raising two little boys on her own. “It’s been a living nightmare. We are slowly getting through it,” said Kettle. 
Three other men from the community lost their lives when the crab fishing vessel went down on May 25, 2020: skipper Eddie Joe Norman, 67; his son, Scott Norman, 35; and his nephew, Jody Norman, 42. What makes things even harder for Kerri Lynn Kettle is that her husband wasn’t even a commercial fisherman. Isaac Kettle, 33, had been working as a driller at a gold mine in Ontario. >click to read< 21:32
