Search for Rhode Island fisherman will continue through the night
Nov 23rd, 2009 by cgnews.
BOSTON- Coast Guard crews plan to continue searching for a Rhode Island fisherman who was reported in trouble in Narragansett Bay, R.I., around 1:30 p.m., today.
Missing is Chester Kidd, 47, of West Warwick, R.I.
Kidd was fishing for quahog clams between Rocky Point and Quonset Point in Narragansett Bay aboard his 18-foot boat when he called a friend from his cell phone, stating that his boat was going down and he needed help.
The friend called 911, which notified Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England of the distress.
A Jayhawk helicopter crew, from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, was diverted to the scene and a 41-foot boat crew launched from Coast Guard Station Castle Hill.
Local agencies including the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the Kingstown Fire Department also helped with the search.
Currently, the air crew and 41-foot boat crew are still searching. Coast Guard Cutter Hammerhead, an 87-foot patrol boat from Woods Hole, Mass., in en route and once on scene will continue to search through the night.
At first light the Coast Guard plans to launch another helicopter crew and boat crew to continue the search.
“Local agencies have been a big help in this case, providing more eyes on the water to search for Mr. Kidd,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Steven Kent, a search and rescue coordinator working the case at Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England. “Coast Guard crews will continue to search through the night and into the morning.”
On scene winds are around 20 miles per hour with seas around three feet and visibility up to three miles. The water temperature is 51F.
If anyone has any information about this case they should call Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England at 508-457-3211.
Coast Guard ends search for missing Rhode Island fisherman
Nov 24th, 2009 by cgnews.
BOSTON — The Coast Guard ended its search for a 47-year old Rhode Island fisherman in Narragansett Bay, R.I., Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009.
Coast Guard crews searched for 26 hours for Chester Kidd, of West Warwick, R.I., covering 284 square miles, but were unable to locate him.
"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Mr. Kidd," said Scott Backholm, a search and rescue controller at Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England. "As a life saving service, it's never easy to end a search with someone still missing at sea."
The Kingston Fire Department located Kidd's boat in about 20 feet of water approximately one mile southwest of Patience Island, R.I. Tuesday afternoon. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management plan to work with state divers to raise the vessel.
A 41-foot boat crew from Coast Guard Station Castle Hill, a Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod and several state and local agencies searched for Kidd.
Kidd was fishing for quahog clams between Rocky Point and Quonset Point in Narragansett Bay aboard his 18-foot boat when he called a friend from his cell phone, stating that his boat was going down and he needed help.
The search has resumed today and the CG have located the boat submerged. Not looking good. 50 degree water temps guys, don't forget the 50/50/50 law. Anyone else on the water from now until spring please take extra precautions and always prepare for the worst, hope for the best.