BOSTON — The Coast Guard suspended the active search for four missing fishermen off the coast of Massachusetts, 5:22 p.m., Tuesday.

“The decision to suspend a search is never an easy one. Our crews conducted searches continuously for over 38 hours covering an area of approximately 2066 square miles,” said Capt. Wesley Hester, Search and Rescue mission coordination, Coast Guard's First District. “We extend our condolences to the friends and loved ones of these fishermen during this trying time.”

Involved in the search were:

The Coast Guard Cutter Vigorous (WMEC-627) crew, a 210-foot Medium Endurance Cutter, homeported in Virginia Beach, Virginia
The Coast Guard Cutter Key Largo (WPB 1324) crew, a 110-foot Patrol Boat, homeported in Gloucester, Massachusetts
Air Station Cape Cod, Massachusetts, MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, and HC-144 Ocean Sentry fixed-wing aircrews
Coast Guard Station Provincetown, Massachusetts, 47-foot Motor Life Boat crew

Around 1:30 a.m., Monday, watchstanders from the Coast Guard First District Command Center, in Boston, received an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) notification from the 82-foot commercial fishing vessel, Emmy Rose, approximately 20 nautical miles off Provincetown.

The vessel owner reported there were four people aboard and there were no answers on the vessel’s satellite phone. Coast Guard crews recovered the Emmy Rose's EPIRB, and life raft, with no sign of the fishermen, or vessel.

The weather on scene was reported 30-knot winds with 6-to-8-foot seas.

The Emmy Rose is homeported in Portland, Maine and was en route to Gloucester, Massachusetts.

“The news that the search for crew of the Emmy Rose has been cancelled is devastating,” said Governor Janet Mills. “Tragic losses at sea like this resonate loudly throughout our State and hit Maine’s tight-knit fishing community especially hard. This is particularly true as we head into the holiday season. Fishing is dangerous work but is vital to Maine and the entire Gulf of Maine region. We should all be grateful for the risks and sacrifices our fishermen take to feed and sustain our communities. I would like to express my deepest condolences to the friends and families of those impacted by this heartbreaking loss.” 

Original Story, Nov. 23:

BOSTON — The Coast Guard is searching for four fishermen approximately 20 miles northeast of Provincetown, Massachusetts, Monday.

Watchstanders at First District Coast Guard Command Center, in Boston, received notification at 1 a.m., Monday, from the 82-foot fishing vessel Emmy Rose's emergency position indicating radio beacon. The Emmy Rose is homeported in Portland, Maine.

The vessel owner reported there were four people aboard, and there were no answers on the vessel’s satellite phone.

The Coast Guard immediately launched a Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, Massachusetts MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew, and the Coast Guard Cutter Vigorous to search for the Emmy Rose. Upon arrival to the vessel's last known position, Coast Guard crews discovered debris and an empty life raft.

Searching are crews from:

Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, and HC-144 Ocean Sentry fixed-wing aircraft

Coast Guard Station Provincetown 47-foot Motor Life Boat

Coast Guard Cutter Vigorous, a 210-foot Medium Endurance Cutter, homeported in Virginia Beach, Virginia

Coast Guard Cutter Key Largo, a 110-foot Patrol Boat, homeported in Gloucester, Massachusetts

The weather on scene is 30-knot winds with 6-to-8-foot seas.