Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

NEWPORT, R.I. -- The U.S. Coast Guard has identified the fisherman who has been the object of an intensive search since he reported that his 18-foot boat was taking on water in Narragansett Bay as Chester Kidd, 47, of West Warwick.

Kidd had been fishing for quahog clams between Rocky Point and Quonset Point when he called a friend on his cell phone around 1:30 p.m. Monday to say his boat was going down and that he needed help.

Coast Guard chief warrant officer James Rousseau, at headquarters in Woods Hole, Mass., said a helicopter crew as well as an 81-foot patrol boat would continue the search throughout the night. At first light Tuesday, the Coast Guard planned to launch another helicopter crew and boat crew to continue the search, assisted by rescue workers from the state Department of Environmental Management and the Kingstown Fire Department.

Winds on the Bay on Monday night were about 20 mph, with 3 foot seas and visibility up to 3 miles. The water temperature was 51 degrees.

 Tags  chester kidd missing fisherman newport ri

Comments

Jack Straw said:

A hard working man has a tragic but avoidable ending. Two words "Life Jacket". Rain, wind, rough seas, and probably a small open boat weighed down with quahogs and gear were a bad combination. If you must be out there, wear your life jacket. In Narragansett Bay, you would have an excellent chance of survival and resue if you have a life jacket.

Link | November 24, 2009 5:48 AM
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