Wreckage of Fishing Boat Lost in 2019 Found Off Block Island, Green Oceans Reports
Environmental group Green Oceans announced the discovery of what it believes to be the F/V Mistress, potentially solving a seven-year mystery and raising questions about offshore wind farm safety.
A Rhode Island-based environmental organization announced it has discovered wreckage believed to be that of the F/V Mistress, a fishing boat that sank on January 1, 2019, off the coast of Block Island. The discovery by Green Oceans potentially solves a mystery surrounding the deaths of two fishermen.
The U.S. Coast Guard searched for the vessel after its sinking but never located the wreckage. Green Oceans reported the discovery in September, finding the wreckage approximately 92 feet underwater and just 50 feet from the base of a wind turbine at the Block Island Wind Farm.
Michael Lombardi, president of Green Oceans, stated his organization began its search after receiving tips from contractors who had previously worked near turbine No. 1 at the wind farm. One contractor mentioned rumors of underwater wreckage, while another claimed to have spotted wreckage during survey work.
Lombardi reviewed the Coast Guard's original accident report and plotted GPS coordinates associated with distress calls, which he said directed the search area to the vicinity of turbine one. He expressed 100% confidence that the wreck is the F/V Mistress, citing the discovery of a unique net drum. Tim Diaz, who survived the sinking, confirmed the net drum belonged to the Mistress, having built the equipment himself.
"apparent human remains" were also found at the site, according to Green Oceans.
While the discovery may offer closure, Lombardi noted uncertainty remains regarding the vessel's final moments, though he believes it was in distress. He suggested that the orientation of the wreckage indicated a possible attempt to maneuver away from the turbine, which could have caused the vessel to roll and sink due to being full of water.
Green Oceans hopes federal authorities will reopen the investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the sinking and the fate of the two fishermen. Lombardi suggested that a full investigation in 2019, had the wreckage been found then, could have altered safety considerations in the permitting of offshore wind development.
Lombardi believes this discovery could have implications for future offshore wind development, stating that a thorough investigation at the time of the sinking could have led to different safety considerations for the continental shelf. Green Oceans aims to highlight the environmental and maritime safety impacts associated with offshore wind projects.