Updated Nov. 25 at 6:50 pm
The scallop boat Leonardo out of New Bedford sank Sunday afternoon, 24 miles southwest of the Vineyard. The U.S. Coast Guard rescued one mariner from the vessel. A search and rescue operation began shortly after the Coast Guard received an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) signal at 3:18 pm, according to Petty Officer Ryan Noel.
A Jayhawk helicopter crew dispatched from Air Station Cape Cod subsequently made the one-person rescue. That person was later identified by Petty Officer Zachary Hupp as Ernesto Santos. Coast Guard Jayhawk and Ocean Sentry crews, along with the 87-foot cutter Cobia and the 270-foot cutter Escanaba searched through the night and throughout the day Monday for three other mariners known to be aboard the Leonardo. Hupp identified them as Gerald Bretal, Xavier Vega, and Mark Cormier Jr. Just before 5 pm, the Coast Guard suspended the search and rescue operation, Hupp said. None of the survivor’s shipmates have been found.
The seas were nine feet at the time the vessel capsized and sank, with 29-knot winds gusting to 39 knots, Noel said. None of the mariners were wearing survival suits, Noel said. The person rescued (Santos) was in a liferaft and did not have a life vest on, Noel said.
Updated to include new information. -Ed.
I had a feeling when I heard aircraft overhead late last night that it was the Coast Guard. My condolences to those who may have lost a loved one, and I hope the rescued fisherman makes a complete recovery. The work the Coast Guard does is amazing – thank you for your dedication and professionalism.
wear your “seat belt”– you never know how fast tragedy can strike..
And a reminder for us land lubbers– those scallops are delicious, but they come at a price that is not only measured in dollars. I can only offer condolences to the family and friends of those who were lost.