NEW: Coast Guard Search for Missing Fishermen Off Block Island After Boat Capsizes
Tuesday, January 01, 2019
The U.S. Coast Guard is continuing its search for two missing fishermen near Block Island after their boat capsized about two and a half miles off the coast.
According to the Coast Guard, the captain of the fishing vessel Mistress notified watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England at around 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday 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.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe fishing boat Captain Bligh responded and rescued one crew member from a lifeboat. The remaining two crew members have not been located.
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
