DMR - Maine Department of Marine Resources

01/23/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/23/2025 10:54

Dive Team Confirms Identify of Fishing Vessel 'Sudden Impact'

January 23, 2025

South Addison - At approximately 11 p.m. Wednesday, the State Police/Marine Patrol Underwater Recovery Dive Team, assisted by local fishermen, took advantage of "slack water" and utilized a remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) equipped with sonar and a camera to confirm the identity of the sunken fishing vessel "Sudden Impact." The vessel is located in 160 feet of water near Moose Cove in eastern Washington County between the towns for Cutler and Lubec in an area of strong tidal current activity. Using the ROV, crews were able to observe what is believed to be the body of an individual on board the vessel.

Recovery was not possible as of last night. Chester Barrett and his son Aaron, fishermen from South Addison, have been missing since Saturday evening when the two failed to return as expected after transiting on board the "Sudden Impact" from Edmunds to South Addison.

The Maine Marine Patrol will continue to work with family members of the Barretts to determine next steps, including consultation with deep water salvage and recovery experts to determine whether a recovery effort is feasible.