The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search for two missing fishermen and their boat at approximately 6 p.m. Sunday, according to the agency.
Multiple agencies have searched for Chester Barrett and his son, Aaron Barrett, and their 34-foot scallop boat, Sudden Impact, off the coast near Lubec and South Addison. The two were reported missing Saturday night by a family member when they didn’t return as expected after traveling from Edmunds to South Addison, where they both live, according to the Maine Marine Patrol.
“We offer our sincere condolences to the family,” said Capt. Matt Baker, commander of Coast Guard Sector Northern New England. “We conduct every search and rescue mission with the hope of returning missing people to safety, which is why suspending any search and rescue effort is one of the hardest decisions I make.”
Barrett’s boat left Cobscook Bay State Park at approximately 5 a.m. Saturday, according to the Coast Guard. After encountering rough seas, the crew planned to seek refuge in Cutler but never arrived, the U.S. Coast Guard said.
The Maine Marine Patrol began searching the water and shoreline between Lubec and South Addison around 7 p.m. Saturday, joined by the U.S. Coast Guard and local fishermen.
The search was suspended Saturday night due to poor visibility but resumed Sunday morning.
Eleven rescue crews from five agencies have searched 950 square miles of ocean and coastline for more than 42 hours combined since Saturday evening, the U.S. Coast Guard said.
Anyone with information is urged to the Coast Guard’s northern New England sector office at 833-449-2407.