US Coast Guard suspends search for missing fishing vessel crew

Coast Guard said Tuesday it called off search for four-member crew of a Maine fishing boat that sank off Massachusetts.

Coast Guard searched an area of approximately 2,066 square miles for more than 38 hours, Capt. Wesley Hester said in a release.

“ decision to suspend a search is never an easy one," Hester said. “We extend our condolences to friends and loved ones of se fishermen during this trying time.”

82-foot (25-meter) Emmy Rose, based in Portland, Maine, went down about 20 miles (32 kilometers) rast of Provincetown, Massachusetts, around 1:30 a.m. Monday. It was heading for Gloucester, Massachusetts.

crew did t make any sort of mayday or distress call, and Coast Guard was alerted when vessel’s emergency beacon made contact with water and sent out its signal, Coast Guard has said.

commercial fishing vessel’s owner reported that Emmy Rose’s satellite phone went unanswered, and first Coast Guard crews on scene discovered debris and an empty life raft.

A Coast Guard cutter that remained on scene overnight was joined Tuesday morning by a fixed-wing aircraft, Petty Officer Amanda Myrick said. However, crew could t be located, Coast Guard said.

search was hampered Monday by 6- to 8-foot (2- to 2.5-meter) seas and 35 mph (55 kph) winds, but wear conditions had improved Tuesday, Myrick said.

owner, Rink Varian, had told Bangor Daily News that boat’s crew was experienced.

“This is a horrific accident,” he said.

Emmy Rose was part of Sustainable Harvest Sector fishing cooperative.

“I am holding out hope that Coast Guard will be able to find se people,” cooperative manr Hank Soul told Boston Globe before search was called off.