NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WPRI) — The U.S. Coast Guard Northeast is searching for a fisherman who went overboard Friday morning off the coast of Massachusetts.
Around 1:30 a.m., crew members of the commercial fishing vessel Susan Rose noticed one person wasn’t on board, according to Petty Officer Ryan Noel.
The search is taking place in the track line between Nomans Land and New Bedford.
The Coast Guard said crews will continue to search “through the night” for the missing fisherman.
Susan Rose is a 77-foot fishing vessel based out of Point Judith that normally has four crew members on board, Noel said.
The boat arrived in New Bedford around 8 a.m. with a Coast Guard vessel following behind. A source told 12 News the boat was offloading its catch of squid.
“It never crosses your mind … you know? Until it happens,” said Paul Pedeira, captain of the Cassie C. “It happens because it’s the most dangerous job.”
Pedeira’s right, according to the Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Fishing and hunting workers have the highest rate of work-related fatalities per 100,000 employees.
Earl Cor Jr., who works on the Cassie C, said it’s a reminder of how dangerous the industry can be.
“You’ve always got be in the back of your mind, make sure you’re paying attention, being alert,” he said.
Cor said he was surprised to hear what happened since the fishing conditions seemed normal at the time.
“There was a little wind early in the day,” he explained. “Normally, this time of year, there’s not a lot of chop, maybe a little, not much … not enough to throw someone off.”
“It’s horrible, you know?” Cor added. “They have families. They’re just trying to make money and provide for their families, and freak accidents happen like that.”
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