Two Missing After Fishing Boat Capsizes Near R.I. Wind Farm

BLOCK ISLAND, R.I. — The Coast Guard and a good Samaritan are searching for two missing fishermen after their vessel capsized early Tuesday morning off of Block Island, Rhode Island.

The Coast Guard reports the captain of the fishing vessel Mistress, based out of Point Judith, Rhode Island, issued a mayday call at about 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday stating that the vessel was taking on water near the Block Island Wind Farm.

The first vessel to respond was the nearby Captain Bligh. The crew of the Captain Bligh rescued one fisherman and reported that the Mistress had capsized, leaving two fishermen missing.

Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod dispatched an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter was dispatched to the area and began conducting a search for the missing fishermen. However, low visibility and unsafe weather conditions forced the helicopter to return to base.

A 45-foot response boat from Coast Guard Station Point Judith was also forced to turn around due to the weather.

The 110-foot Coast Guard cutter Sanibel and a 47-foot motor lifeboat from Coast Guard Station Montauk are en route to the scene.

The winds were reported to be 30 to 35 knots and the seas 10 feet.

The Captain Bligh has remained on scene.