SALISBURY — Almost 48 hours after a 48-foot-long boat sank and broke up near the mouth of the Merrimack River, efforts to locate a man last seen on the vessel have transitioned from search and rescue to search and recover, according to local officials.
The Great White, a 2003 Ocean 48 sport/fishing vessel registered in New Hampshire, contained two cabins and was powered by twin Caterpillar 3196 660-horsepower diesel engines. With enough room for six people to sleep comfortably, the for-sale boat included two bathrooms, two captains chairs at the helm and boasted 360-degree visibility, according to the boat broker company handling the sale.
At around 4 p.m. on Saturday, Newburyport police officers, firefighters and Harbormaster Paul Hogg responded to the Merrimack River to assist the U.S. Coast Guard after receiving reports of a capsized boat. Newburyport Fire Marine Unit 2 also responded.
Two people were onboard when it capsized and sank soon after it left Salisbury Marina. One person was rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard and transported to an area hospital by medical helicopter. However, the other person remains missing.
Harbormaster Paul Hogg on Monday said the man rescued believes the missing person, who was not wearing a life jacket, did not get off the boat before it sank.
After spending much of Sunday searching a wide area, efforts were suspended due to high swells on the water as a result of Hurricane Erin, according to Hogg.
“It’s getting better. It’s still challenging, but it’s definitely better than it was yesterday and the day before,” Hogg said, Monday.
As of Monday, Hogg said the Massachusetts Environmental Police, Massachusetts State Police and Harbormaster Department are conducting a sub-level search of the area, referring to underwater searches.
“We’re still on the beach, doing a search there for debris and going up and down, but we also have our patrol boat out searching the coastline,” he said.
So far recovered debris includes part of its hull, part of the topside, cabinets, personal items, a life raft and life jackets.
Hogg said his department has been working with local authorities throughout the last few days and will continue to do so until the matter is resolved.
“We’re going to continue to do everything we can to clean up the mess and get some closure. And, we’re going to be meeting, myself and all the other public safety officials daily until we get this all buttoned up,” he said.
Hogg also said he urges locals to contact the authorities if they see anything related to the incident.
“If anybody sees something, don’t hesitate to say something,” he said.