Body Found In Waters Of Salem Sound Following Boat Crash

SALEM, MA — The body of a 65-year-old man was found in the Salem Sound waters Saturday night following a boat crash at Little Misery Island, according to the Beverly Harbormaster.

Harbormaster Peter Dickman told Patch on Monday that a caller reported the boat on the island at about 5 p.m. on Saturday and that crews arrived on the island to find a 40-foot sport fishing vessel had crashed on the rocks.

"Nobody was on the vessel and it was still in gear," Dickman said, "indicating apparent operation when it struck the island."

Dickman said an area search was conducted and that witnesses reported there was one man on board when it left the marina.

He said the body of the man presumed to be the boat's operator was found at about 10:15 p.m. through a coordinated effort of local harbormaster crews from Beverly, Salem, Marblehead, Manchester and Danvers, as well as the Environmental Police, State Police and U.S. Coast Guard boat and helicopter crews.

However, the Essex County District Attorney's Office told WCVB that no foul play is suspected in the man's death.