Missing Boat “Lady of Grace” Found in Nantucket Sound, All Four Crew Members are Still Missing
The Coast Guard discovered the missing fishing boat, The 75-foot Lady of Grace, submerged in 36 feet of water in Nantucket Sound. All four crew members, Antonio Barroqueiro, Rogerio Vendura, Mario Farinha, and Joao Silva, are still missing. Due to the frigid water temperatures, it is highly unlikely that there will be any survivors. It was reported from Coast Guard aircraft that debris was floating in the water about 2 miles from the boats last known location.
Coast Guard rescuers said it appeared unlikely the crew would be found alive in the frigid waters, but they would continue the search. The vessel’s lone life raft was found attached to the boat.
The 75-foot Lady of Grace was last heard from Friday night and was supposed to return to New Bedford Harbor early Saturday.
The boat’s last known position was 12 miles south of Hyannis, which is 60 miles southeast of Boston. At the time the boat went missing, the wind was blowing at about 30 to 35 mph with 8 to 10 foot waves.
It appears that there have been previous issues with this fishing vessel in the recent past.
Earlier this month, the Coast Guard had to tow the Lady of Grace after the crew radioed for help, saying they were without power and drifting. (AP)
Rescuers finds missing fishing boat submerged, lifeboat attached
The Lady of Grace’s one life raft was found still in its case and attached to the boat.
The 75-foot dragger was last heard from Friday night. It was supposed to return to New Bedford Harbor at 5 a.m. Saturday after the Coast Guard warned of rough weather, cutting a planned eight-day trip in half.
The crew from another fishing vessel communicated with Lady of Grace by e-mail until 10 p.m. Friday, then contacted the Coast Guard when the other boat failed to reply to the last e-mail.
Coast Guard officials concentrated their search on the area where the boat’s transponder was last heard, about 11 miles north of Nantucket. (WHDH)
UPDATE I: 1 Body Found in Sunken Boat; Search Ends
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (AP) — Divers found the body of a crewman on a sunken fishing boat in Nantucket Sound on Wednesday, and the search for two more men ended because debris in the wreck makes more dives too hazardous.
State police said the divers searched the entire vessel Wednesday except the engine room, which was blocked by debris. The unidentified body was found in a bunk room.