UPDATE: Coast Guard continues search for missing fishermen near Block Island, RI

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard 1st District Northeast Contact: 1st District Public Affairs Office: (617) 223-8515 After Hours: (617) 717-9609 1st District online newsroom

UPDATE: Coast Guard continues search for missing fishermen near Block Island, RI

BOSTON – Multiple Coast Guard crews and good Samaritans searched throughout the day Tuesday for two missing fishermen after their boat capsized and sank approximately two and half miles southeast of Block Island, Rhode Island.

The captain of the fishing vessel Mistress notified watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England at around 1:30 a.m. that the boat was taking on water.

The watchstanders issued an urgent marine information broadcast to vessels in the area to request assistance for the crew of the Mistress.

The fishing boat Captain Bligh responded and rescued one crew member from a life boat. The remaining two crew members have not been located.

Low visibility and poor weather conditions hampered initial searches, but multiple crews launched as visibility improved.  

The following crews searched a 375 square nautical mile area:

-Coast Guard Cutter Sanibel
-Coast Guard Cutter Steelhead
-Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba
-An Air Station Cape Cod MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and an HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft
-A 45-foot response boat from Station Point Judith
-A 47-foot Motor Lifeboat from Station Menemsha

Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba and Steelhead are expected to stay on scene through the night.

For the original release click here.

-USCG-