C11

Derwin Gowan
Telegraph-Journal

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LUBEC, Maine - The United States Coast Guard recovered the body of one fisherman off Lubec, Maine, Wednesday afternoon and continue to look for two others.

Enlarge Photo

Gabor Degre/Bangor Daily News

A Canadian Armed Forces helicopter searches the waters between Lubec and Campobello Island for three Maine fishermen who were on an urchin boat that was reported missing Tuesday evening.

The vessel Bottom Basher with three on board did not return to port as expected at 5 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, the Coast Guard reported Wednesday.

The vessel was last seen dragging urchins in the area of Cobscook and Straight Bay, Maine, at 1 p.m. EDT. Someone placed an emergency call at about 10 p.m.

The Coast Guard began the search with two search and rescue boats stationed in Eastport, and later called in both American and Canadian helicopters.

At about 11 a.m. EDT Wednesday, searchers found debris including lifejackets marked with the Bottom Dasher's name and parts of the hull with the vessel's state registration number.

The Coast Guard transported the body of the victim to the Eastport station.

The Maine Marine Patrol activated two search vessels. The State Police helped in the search from shore.

Due to the proximity to the Canadian border, the Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Halifax deployed an RCMP and a Canadian Armed Forces helicopter.

"We are continuing to leverage resources from both sides of the border to search for the missing crew members," said Capt. James McPherson, who commands Sector Northern New England, in a news release.

"Our thoughts are with the families of the crew of the Bottom Basher as they cope with this traumatic event. We plan to continue the search and are doing everything we can to find their loved ones."

In addition to the search effort, the Coast Guard will investigate what caused the vessel to apparently sink.

The 140-foot Coast Guard cutter Thunder Bay was to search throughout Wednesday night.

"The local inter-agency support has been outstanding during this challenging search. We greatly appreciate the actions of our first response partners for their rapid and unified efforts," McPherson said.