Search Continues for Missing Fisherman in Local Waters

By Mark Schieldrop

Crews continued their search for a missing fisherman in the waters off Sakonnet Point in Little Compton on Friday after saving two others after their 17-foot pleasure craft suffered a structural failure and sank.

The Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency is directing the ongoing search with help from multiple agencies who have been scouring the water since the first call came in for a report of an vessel in distress.

The boat reportedly departed from Little Compton and the men, who have not been identified by officials, were supposed to be back by sunset on Thursday. A family member called the Coast Guard at around 9:45 p.m. when attempts to reach them were unsuccessful.

The Coast Guard First District Command Center launched a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Cape Cod, Sector Southeastern New England dispatched a 45-foot Response Boat crew from Station Castle Hill, the Coast Guard Cutter Hammerhead crew diverted to the search area, and several local agencies responded: Little Compton Fire and Police, fire departments from Tiverton, Portsmouth, Middletown, North Kingstown and Cranston along with the state Department of Environmental Management.

A Middletown Fire Department rescue swimmer recovered the first man who managed to swim to Sakonnet Lighthouse. The Jayhawk aircrew located and hoisted the second man who was found clinging to a lobster buoy about 1 mile south of the lighthouse. It was reported that the third man was last seen drifting away from the same area.

The two survivors said their engine failed and the vessel was overcome with water and sank. The boat is now mostly submerged and still adrift in search area. The two reported that they, as well as the missing man, were wearing life jackets before the boat sank.

“The Coast Guard and the Rhode Island Task Force has multiple units from several partnering agencies blanketing an area more than 370 square miles wide,” said Commander Frank DelRosso, Chief of Response for Sector Southeastern New England. “We will exhaust every effort to locate the missing mariner.”

Family members at the scene identified the missing fisherman as Adam Perry Sr., 51, of Pawtucket.

Little Compton Fire Chief Richard Petrin said he was thankful for the support of all participating agencies.

“The dedicated responders from the federal, state, and municipal agencies came together on this incident; through their efforts two victims were rescued and hopefully recover from their injuries. We are now focused and dedicated to locating the third victim,” Petrin said.

Photo Courtesy ABC6