Tag Archives: Maine Marine Patrol
Corrected: Waldoboro Man Summonsed for Operating a Vessel Under the Influence
The Maine Marine Patrol has charged Jared Larsen, 32, of Waldoboro with operating a watercraft under the influence. Marine Patrol received a report at approximately 7:00 a.m. this morning of a boat that had run aground on Seal Ledge on the southwest side of Vinalhaven in Penobscot Bay. Marine Patrol Officers arrived on scene at approximately 8:00 a.m. to find the vessel, the Holly and Abby owned by lobster dealer Fox Island Lobster Company, laying on its side and taking on water. Marine Patrol Officers were able to locate Larsen at the Rockland Fish Pier and transported him to Knox County Jail more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 18:24
Fishermen get probation, fines for scheme to avoid herring quotas
Eight men from Maine and one from New Hampshire – comprised of the owner, captains, and crew members of a commercial fishing vessel, the Western Sea, and owners of local Maine fisheries – have been sentenced for knowingly subverting commercial fishing reporting requirements. The final six sentences in the complex case were handed down this week by U.S. District Judge Jon Levy in U.S. District Court in Portland, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said Thursday July 11. The Western Sea is a fishing vessel that operated out of Rockland and fished for Atlantic herring. Atlantic herring is the primary bait fish for Maine’s lobster industry. more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 19:49
Crews pull dead whale from Casco Bay
A dead whale which appeared to be wrapped in nets was pulled from Casco Bay on Thursday, officials say. Crews were attempting to load the whale onto a flatbed truck using a boat lift as of 3 p.m. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said on social media Marine Mammals of Maine and the Maine Marine Patrol were notified of a 40-foot humpback whale in a net off the coast of Cape Elizabeth on Wednesday. NOAA said the whale is known as “Chunk” and was first seen in 2015, the same year she was found in a “severe entanglement. “Video, more, >>CLICK TO READ<< 16:35
Five Maine fishermen plead guilty in herring scheme
The trial of five fishermen accused of a multi-year scheme to sell unreported Atlantic herring and falsify fishing records ended Monday when the defendants all pleaded guilty to lesser offenses. No sentencing date has been scheduled. The plea agreements call for a maximum sentence of a year in prison, a fine of up to $100,000, and up to one year of supervised release. The defendants, however, may end up with no jail time. Fifty-nine counts against the five defendants were dismissed in exchange to the pleas on lesser charges. The trial began last week in U.S. District Court in Portland and was expected to last nine days. The five defendants who pleaded were Glenn Robbins, 76, of Eliot; Ethan Chase, 46, of Portsmouth, N.H.; Neil Herrick, 48, of Rockland; Stephen Little, 58, of Warren; Jason Parent, 51, of Owls Head; and Western Sea, Inc. more, >>click to reads<< 16:20
Federal trial starts for five fishermen accused of multi-year scheme
The jury trial of five people charged with a multi-year scheme to sell unreported Atlantic herring and falsify fishing records began Thursday, March 7. The trial is expected to last nine days in the U.S. District Court in Portland. The jury was selected this week. Opening statements were scheduled to start March 7. The five defendants — who have pleaded not guilty — are Glenn Robbins, 76, of Eliot; Ethan Chase, 46, of Portsmouth, N.H.; Neil Herrick, 48, of Rockland; Stephen Little, 58, of Warren; Jason Parent, 51, of Owls Head; and Western Sea, Inc. Other defendants have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. more, >>click to read<< 11:31
Trial date set for fishermen charged with fraud, violation of herring laws
The trial for the fishermen and seafood dealers who were indicted in 2022 with conspiracy, mail fraud, and obstruction of justice in connection with a multi-year scheme to sell unreported Atlantic herring and falsify fishing records will begin Jan. 3 and is expected to last eight days. The defendants who were indicted in January 2022 in U.S. District Court were Glenn Robbins, 76, of Eliot; Ethan Chase, 46, of Portsmouth, N.H.; Neil Herrick, 48, of Rockland; Stephen Little, 58, of Warren; Jason Parent, 51, of Owls Head; Dustin Reed, 41, of Waldoboro; Glenn Lawrence, 70, of Owls Head; Samuel Olson, 73, of Cushing; the Western Sea, Inc. of Rockland; New Moon Fisheries, of Waldoboro; and Sam’s Seafood of Cushing, according to the court document. more. >>click to read<< 07:47
Fishermen indicted in federal court for alleged fraud, violation of herring laws face September trial
A hearing is scheduled for Aug. 23 in U.S. District Court regarding trial scheduling and a motion to continue for the fishermen and seafood dealers who were indicted in 2022 with conspiracy, mail fraud, and obstruction of justice in connection with a multi-year scheme to sell unreported Atlantic herring and falsify fishing records. Jury selection is scheduled to begin on Sept. 5. The trial is anticipated for September and expected to last two weeks. According to the indictment, between June 2016 and September 2019, the owner, captains, and crew aboard the fishing vessel Western Sea sold more than 2.6 million pounds of Atlantic herring that was not reported to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The indictment alleges that members of the crew were paid directly by fish dealers and lobster vessel operators for the unreported herring. >click to read< 12:56
Lobsterman finds body off Down East coast
A Jonesport lobsterman on Monday found a body in the ocean near Addison. The Maine Marine Patrol has recovered the body, and it is being transported to the Maine medical examiner’s office in Augusta for identification, Maine Department of Marine Resources spokesperson Jeff Nichols said. Nichols declined to comment on whether the body may be that of Tylar Michaud, a Steuben lobsterman who went missing on July 21 after he went out to haul traps near Petit Manan Island. Charles Kelley, a Steuben lobsterman and pastor at a local church who led Sunday’s service for Michaud, said that while an official identification of the body has not been made, people close to the family and who were involved in the extensive search believe it is Michaud. >click to read< 17:41
‘He was bigger than life’: Family of missing lobsterman plans memorial
The last day Tylar Michaud went out to haul and set his lobster traps near Petit Manan Point, a thick fog hugged the coast of Down East Maine. The routine was familiar for the 18-year-old fisherman from the small fishing village of Steuben. He grew up on the water learning how to catch lobster alongside his stepfather Bryant Kennedy, a fourth-generation lobsterman. But on July 21, something went wrong. That evening, Michaud’s boat, F/V Top Gun, was found still in gear, moving in a slow arc with no one aboard. An intense search began. Nearly two weeks later, it continues even as his family, friends and others in the close-knit fishing community acknowledge that he did not survive and start to celebrate the young man who made an impression on everyone he met. >click to read< 07:42
Search continues for missing 18-year-old Maine lobsterman Tylar Michaud
The search for a missing 18-year-old lobsterman entered its 10th day on Monday. Though rescuers have found no signs of Tylar Michaud, and the U.S. Coast Guard withdrew from the operation, the Maine Marine Patrol will continue to look for the missing lobsterman in the coming weeks. Michaud of Steuben was reported missing on July 21 after he failed to return from a day of hauling and setting lobster traps. Those who saw the boat and have years of experience working on the water say evidence on board points to Michaud having been dragged overboard with his gear. >click to read< 13:21
Search for Steuben Lobsterman Missing Since Friday, July 21st Continues
Steuben – The Maine Marine Patrol is continuing a targeted search today for lobsterman Tylar Michaud, 18 of Steuben, who has been missing since Friday, July 21st. Today’s search involves the Maine State Police/Marine Patrol Dive Team, Maine Warden Service, Marine Patrol vessels and airplane along with additional air support from the Army National Guard and members of the Air National Guard using personal aircraft. The search, which has been on-going since last Friday, has also involved many members of the local community and fishermen. Today’s search is focusing on the waters near Petit Manan Island.
Seeking closure for lobsterman’s family: ‘No one wants a man lost at sea’
As Tylar Michaud headed home to Steuben from lobster fishing on Thursday, he told his father it had been a beautiful day on the water with no fog. They talked about finding time to finally get out on his boat together. “He was really proud of it and he wanted to get me out there to go fishing with him,” Ron Michaud said. Barely 24 hours later, Tylar Michaud’s boat, Top Gun, was found with no one aboard, setting off an intense search for the 18-year-old commercial fisherman. After an unsuccessful weekend search that was at times hampered by thick fog, the Maine Marine Patrol continued searching for Michaud on Monday. >click to read< 07:52
Search Continues Today for Missing Steuben Lobsterman
The Maine Marine Patrol will continue to search today for Tylar Michaud, 18 of Steuben, a commercial lobsterman who was reported missing Friday night at 5pm after failing to return from a day of hauling and setting his traps near Petit Manan Point. The search is focusing on the waters near Petit Manan Point where Michaud’s unoccupied boat was found Friday evening by a local fisherman. Today’s search will involve Marine Patrol boats and the Maine State Police/Marine Patrol Underwater Recovery Team. An aerial search will also be conducted by the Marine Patrol, Army National Guard, Air National Guard, and Maine Forest Service. >link< 09:52
Trial for fishermen netted in federal probe set for September
The trial of six fishermen, two seafood dealers, along with corporations they own, who are charged in connection with a multi-year scheme to sell unreported Atlantic herring and falsify fishing records, has been scheduled for September. The postponement from August was made by the court as it considers a motion to reconsider an earlier judge’s ruling to deny suppressing statements made by a defendant to Marine Patrol officers. Glenn Robbins, 76, of Eliot; Ethan Chase, 46, of Portsmouth, N.H.; Neil Herrick, 48, of Rockland; Andrew Banow, 37, of Rockport; Stephen Little, 58, of Warren; Jason Parent, 51, of Owls Head; and Western Sea, Inc., were named in a 35-count indictment issued in January 2022. A superseding indictment was issued by a federal grand jury in October 2022 which included those defendants as well as Duston Reed, 41, of Waldoboro; New Moon Fisheries of Waldoboro; Glenn Lawrence, 70, of Owls Head; Samuel Olson, 73, of Cushing; and Sam’s Seafood of Cushing. >click to read< 15:29
“It’s like anything in life. Anything can happen” Massive tuna benefits Belfast Soup Kitchen
Many fishermen have a story about “the one that got away.” Recently, one Maine crew had the opposite experience with an accidental catch of a lifetime. Tuesday, their roughly 600-pound tuna made for a special afternoon at the Belfast Soup Kitchen. “It’s like anything in life. Anything can happen,” said Ross Alex, captain of the Kathryn Ann.,, ”It couldn’t be revived. It was too entangled in the net. They realized the fish was going to be a 
loss,” said Doug Shartzer, who’s a friend of Steeves. Steeves called one of his contacts at Maine Marine Patrol. After getting the okay from the state, Shartzer made a call to the Belfast Soup Kitchen, which agreed to take the tuna. On Tuesday, about 350 servings were prepared to feed the community. Video, >click to read< 08:16
Maine Marine Patrol revs up its fleet
The Marine Patrol recently launched P/ V Endeavor, a 42-foot-long lobster-style patrol boat made by Farrin’s Boat Shop in Walpole. The boat’s hull is from Calvin Beal Boats, part of SW Boatworks in Lamoine, according to a news release. The Endeavor is home-ported in West Boothbay and replaces P/V Monitor, a 22-year-old, 35-foot-long Young Brothers boat that was damaged by an electrical fire in 2019. The new vessel will provide a safer, more stable platform for Marine Patrol officers while hauling and inspecting lobster gear in both near-shore and offshore locations,,, >click to read< 07:41
Maine Man Pleads Guilty to Making Hoax Distress Call
On December 3, 2020, while at the Spruce Head Fisherman’s Co-op, Nathan Libby, 31, communicated a false distress call for a vessel and crew reportedly taking on water in the vicinity of Spruce Head. In response, the U.S. Coast Guard initiated a search lasting more than five hours, which included the use of a local Coast Guard vessel, a Maine Marine Patrol vessel, and a helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod. Further investigation identified Libby as the caller and the search was suspended as a hoax call. >click to read< 07:39
Marine Patrol Identifies Fisherman Whose Body Was Recovered from Port Clyde Harbor
Port Clyde Harbor – After notifying family members, the Maine Marine Patrol is releasing the name of the fisherman whose body was recovered last night from Port Clyde Harbor. The body of Travis Thorbjornson, 54 of Warren was recovered by Marine Patrol and local fishermen last night at approximately 9pm. Marine Patrol received a report earlier in the evening that Thorbjornson’s skiff was found adrift in the harbor with no one aboard. >click to read< 12:14
‘How do we stop it?’ – Lobstermen voice concerns over wind farm development in meeting with regulators
The state Gov. Janet Mills is telling Monhegan Island-area lobstermen to remove fishing gear from the path of a survey vessel, or the Marine Patrol will.,, In text and email messages sent to lobstermen Wednesday morning, DMR Commissioner Patrick Keliher says he has been directed to ask the state Marine Patrol to move gear away from the route if the vessel is unable to continue its work. He also says DMR is working with the vessel to make sure it keeps its operations within a defined pathway. Keliher and other officials in Gov. Janet Mills’ administration did not immediately return requests for comment. >click to read< 10:02
May Day! Maine man charged with false distress call to Coast Guard
Nathan Libby, of Rockland, is charged with making a false distress call to the Coast Guard on December 3rd, 2020 via VHF-FM radio channel 16. Based on the call, the Coast Guard initiated a search spanning more than five hours, which included the use of a local Coast Guard vessel, a Maine Marine Patrol vessel, and a helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod. A criminal complaint was filed on January 27th in the U.S. District Court in Portland against Libby, who faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted of the crime. >click to read< 07:45
Maine: Lobster boat sinks after hitting a ledge in Naskeag Harbor, Captain taken to hospital
A 36-foot lobster boat, Turn the Page, sank off Naskeag Point on the sunny, breezy afternoon of August 26, according to a Department of Marine Resources statement. The vessel, captained by 45-year-old Carl Gray of Sedgwick, hit a ledge in Naskeag Harbor, according to the statement. The boat continued on until it eventually ran aground near the boat launch around 1:30 p.m., DMR said. That was two hours after low tide,,, One fisherman took Gray to the hospital, while other fishermen managed to tie the Turn the Page to the public pier at Naskeag Point. >photo gallery, click to read< 12:42
UPDATED: Maine Marine Patrol Investigates Apparent Fatal Shark Attack today near Bailey Island
The Maine Marine Patrol is investigating the fatality of a woman today near Bailey Island. According to Marine Patrol, an eye witness reported that the woman was swimming off the shore near White Sails Lane when she was injured in what appeared to be a shark attack. Kayakers nearby brought her to shore and EMS responders were called to the scene where she was pronounced deceased. No other information is available at this time and the investigation into the incident is continuing. More information will be provided as it becomes available. Until further notice, swimmers and boaters are urged to use caution near Bailey Island and to avoid swimming near schooling fish or seals. The identity of the woman is being withheld pending notification of family. Department of Marine Resources 19:35
Woman dead from apparent shark attack in Maine – The Maine Marine Patrol says they are investigating the death of a woman who was injured in an apparent shark attack Monday afternoon. According to Marine Patrol and News Center Maine who spoke with witnesses at the scene, a woman was swimming off the shore near While Sails Lane. video, >click to read< 21:12
Maine’s first elver eel season with new controls going well
Maine’s baby eel fishermen are enjoying a steady harvest and strong prices during the first season in which regulators are using new controls to stop poaching .,,, “For the guys who want to do the right thing and grow this fishery, they’re happy to comply,” said Jeffrey Pierce, a former state legislator who is an adviser to the Maine Elver Fishermen Association.,,, Fishermen are more than 90% of the way through their quota for the year, which is slightly less than 10,000 pounds (4,536 kilograms). The average price is more than $2,000 per pound, which would be the third highest average on record if holds,,, >click to read<18:33
4 charged with cutting dozens of rival lobstermen’s traps in Maine
The Maine Marine Patrol says four men face charges following an investigation of the cutting of a rival lobsterman’s traps. The agency said Wednesday that two lobstermen, 56-year-old Walter Foster, of Castine, and 22-year-old Nicholas Wood, of Penobscot, have been arraigned along with two crew members. They face multiple charges including molesting lobster gear. >click to read<08:42
MDI native to lead Maine Marine Patrol
Lieutenant Jay Carroll of Southwest Harbor, a 23-year veteran of the Maine Marine Patrol, has been promoted to Colonel, chief of the state’s marine law enforcement branch. He will begin work in his new role April 1, replacing Jon Cornish who officially retires April 5 after 34 years of service. “I am honored to take this next step in my career and look forward to working with the talented, hard-working Marine Patrol professionals whose efforts are critical in sustaining our state’s valuable marine resources,” Carroll said in a statement. >click to read<09:51
Elver fishermen push for higher quota, say resource isn’t endangered
Despite the abrupt end to the elver season last month due to poaching, elver fishermen continue to support an increase in Maine’s annual catch limit. The Bangor Daily News reported that more than 60 elver fishermen appeared at a hearing held Wednesday by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission — the interstate body that oversees the eel and elver fishery, among others — to consider whether to raise the quota from 9,688 pounds to 11,749 pounds. >click to read<13:47
Court dismissal ends lobster dealer’s potboiler
A saga involving allegations of skullduggery by a Mount Desert Island lobster dealer on the waters of Blue Hill Bay reached its final chapter last week in Ellsworth. A Superior Court judge dismissed a single charge against Donald Crabtree of failing to keep required records or not reporting all of his lobster purchases. The story began in the summer of 2015 with an investigation by Maine Marine Patrol officers who had heard complaints that Crabtree was buying lobsters on a barge moored outside Seal Cove in Blue Hill Bay but wasn’t filing the required landings reports with the Department of Marine Resources. >click to read< 11:39
Large-scale fraud under investigation at Rockland lobster company
State and local law enforcement agencies are investigating a suspected large-scale fraud and theft case that targeted a local seafood business. Chad W. Salvas, 39, of Rockland was arrested last May and charged with two felony theft and two felony forgery charges. At the time, the business owner of J&J Lobster told police he suspected his dock manager, Salvas, had stolen the money, according to an affidavit filed in court by the Rockland Police Department. >click to read< 17:36
Marine Patrol suspends search for missing Thomaston clammer Paul Benner
Maine Marine Patrol officers suspended the search Saturday evening for a Thomaston clammer missing since Thursday’s severe winter storm. Officers and divers were hampered by ice and slush Saturday as they searched the area of Long Cove in the vicinity of footprints believed to have been left by Paul Benner, who has not been seen since he went out clamming Thursday evening. In a statement, the marine patrol said the search “will resume in the coming days, depending on the weather.” click here to read the story 09:43
Caught on Tape: Vinalhaven Man Formally Charged with Stealing 200 Lbs Lobster, Boat
A man from Vinalhaven accused of stealing more than 200 pounds of lobsters and a boat has been indicted by a Knox County grand jury. 48-year-old Jason Marriner is charged with theft and unauthorized use of property. The Maine Marine Patrol arrested him in April. Investigators started looking into reports of thefts at the Vinalhaven co-op last fall, then again in January – along with thefts at Linda Bean’s facility, Americanus Lobster. Video, click here to watch 10:11
