Thursday, 4:30 PM
Coast Guard, NB mayor meet with families of missing fishermen
By John R. Ellement and Andrew Ryan, Globe Staff
Coast Guard officials and New Bedford Mayor Scott W. Lang are meeting this morning with the families of four fishermen who have been missing since Friday and are feared dead after divers found their 75-foot boat lying on its side in 36 feet of water about 12 miles north of Nantucket.
Two Coast Guard cutters are still searching today for the four missing crew members, but there was scant hope. The boat's one life raft was found still in its case and attached to the vessel, and it appeared unlikely the crew would be able to survive in the frigid waters, according to the Coast Guard.
After meeting with the families this morning, Lang and Coast Guard officials are scheduled to hold a press conference at the Waterfront Visitors Center in New Bedford.
The crew of the Lady of Grace left New Bedford harbor Tuesday for an eight-day fishing trip, according to the Coast Guard. It was reported missing Saturday after the crew of another fishing boat, the Lisa Ann II, lost contact with the Lady of Grace. Its last contact was an e-mail received by the Lisa Ann at about 10 p.m. Friday.
The Coast Guard has identified the missing men as Antonio Barroqueiro, 50, of Fairhaven, the captain of the Lady of Grace; Joao Silva, the captain's brother-in-law; and crew members Mario Farinha and Rogerio Vendura. The ages and hometowns of the other men were not available.
