Coast Guard searches for missing lobsterman after finding boat near Walker’s Point

Staff report
Updated ·2 min read

KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine — The Coast Guard is searching for a missing fisherman after crews recovered his boat along with a plastic tote, lifejacket and boot near the shoreline.

Helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft and drones were in the air on the southern Maine coast Friday searching for a 64-year-old fisherman missing since Thursday, according to Coast Guard Commander Frank Kulesa. On the water’s surface was the Fast Response Cutter Maurice Jester to aid with the search, as well as a 47-foot lifeboat out of Portsmouth.

The Coast Guard said a helicopter was deployed in the search for a missing fisherman out of Kennebunkport, Maine.
The Coast Guard said a helicopter was deployed in the search for a missing fisherman out of Kennebunkport, Maine.

Coast Guard officials said the 64-year-old fisherman went out from Turbats Creek in a 12-foot aluminum skiff Thursday to haul lobster traps and did not return. Coast Guard officials were called by Kennebunkport police at 6:40 p.m. reporting the missing fisherman, and they issued an urgent marine information broadcast.

Authorities have since found his skiff overturned on the rocks at Walker’s Point and debris and other items along the shoreline.

"All indications lead to a scenario in which the fisherman entered the water," the Coast Guard stated in a press release.

Aircraft in use include the H-60 helicopter and HC-144 fixed-wing aircraft from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, according to the Coast Guard. Maine Marine Patrol and several other local agencies and Good Samaritans are also involved in the search effort.

Investigators with the York County Emergency Services are parked at the end of Turbats Creek Road where a fisherman left on Thursday in a 12-foot skiff to pull lobster traps but didn't return. Search and rescue found the overturned skiff with some other items on Friday morning but were still searching for the 64-year-old.
Investigators with the York County Emergency Services are parked at the end of Turbats Creek Road where a fisherman left on Thursday in a 12-foot skiff to pull lobster traps but didn't return. Search and rescue found the overturned skiff with some other items on Friday morning but were still searching for the 64-year-old.

Waves were about 2 to 3 feet Thursday afternoon, below the National Weather Service’s small craft advisory threshold, NWS meteorologist Stephen Baron said. The weather made for good conditions Friday to search, according to Kulesa.

Asked at a press release Friday afternoon if they were still hoping the man was alive, Coast Guard Commander Frank Kulesa said they still considered the mission one of search and rescue.

“We are going to continue as long as there’s a chance of survival,” Kulesa said. “We’re going to continue to put our assets out there and look for our missing fisherman.”

Maine Marine Patrol and several other local agencies and Good Samaritans were involved in the search effort Friday to locate a missing fisherman.
Maine Marine Patrol and several other local agencies and Good Samaritans were involved in the search effort Friday to locate a missing fisherman.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Coast Guard searches for missing lobsterman, 64, near Walker’s Point