Statement & Press Advisory from Atlantic Capes Fisheries on Search for Missing F/V Misty Blue Crewmen

NEW BEDFORD, Mass., Dec. 05, 2017 -- Atlantic Capes Fisheries Inc. (ACF) sends its thoughts and prayers to the families and friends of two crewmembers who remain missing from our affiliated surf clam harvesting vessel, F/V Misty Blue, which was lost at sea while working off Nantucket last night. ACF is grateful to the U.S. Coast Guard for its continuing efforts to find our crewmembers, Michael Roberts, age 44, and Jonathan Saraiva, age 32, and prays for their safe return. 

The F/V Misty Blue, owned by F/V Misty Blue LLC, departed Fairhaven, Massachusetts for Nantucket Shoals at 9 p.m. Saturday to harvest surf clams. It was working Nantucket Shoals, located southeast of Nantucket Island, along with four other surf clam vessels. Reportedly the F/V Misty Blue rolled over and sank at approximately 6:30 p.m. Monday evening.

The captain of the F/V Enterprise, which was working nearby, noticed the lights of the F/V Misty Blue going out, and steamed over to investigate. The F/V Enterprise was able to rescue from the water the F/V Misty Blue’s captain, Eric Arabian, age 44, and one of the vessel’s crewmen, Colby McMullen, age 22. The F/V Enterprise, F/V Lori Ann, F/V Mariette, and F/V Lauren, all surf clam vessels fishing in the area, immediately began searching for the two missing crewmembers. The F/V Mariette retrieved the F/V Misty Blue’s life raft with no crewmen inside. The searching vessels were quickly joined by the Coast Guard, which assumed control of the search.

ACF thanks these Good Samaritan vessels for their quick response, and is relieved for the safe return of Captain Arabian and Mr. McMullen.

The F/V Misty Blue’s rescued captain and crewman were transferred to the Coast guard vessel, which remains on scene searching for the missing crewmen. The Coast Guard is also considering sending divers down to the sunken F/V Misty Blue. No further information is known at this time.

ACF and all of us in the fishing community are united in our hope that the Coast Guard will find our missing crewmen. We ask the public to keep our crewmen and their families in its prayers. 

Press Availability:

Who:

Mr. Chad Brayton, vessel manager for Atlantic Capes Fisheries, Inc., will be available to speak with members of the press.

When:

1pm EST

December 5, 2017

Where:

New Bedford Harbor Development Commission Visitor Center

The Wharfinger Building

52 Fisherman’s Wharf

New Bedford, MA 02740

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/39849a39-7a85-4919-96a8-df0fc2affb88

Robert Vanasse
Atlantic Capes Fisheries
202-333-2628
[email protected]