Coast Guard confirms identities, suspends search for 4 missing Maine fishermen

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • November 23, 2020

Jeff Matthews, Ethan Ward, Michael Porper and Robert Blethen were on the Emmy Rose when it sank northeast of Cape Cod early Monday. After an emergency notification was received, the Coast Guard launched a helicopter crew and the Cutter Vigorous, but searchers found only debris and an empty life raft in the area where the vessel’s emergency beacon activated after it came in contact with water. Coast Guard officials suspended the operation at 5:22 p.m. Tuesday after a search that lasted 38 hours and covered about 2,066 square miles.