USCG Reconvenes Formal Investigation

The USCG reconvened its one-person formal investigation to determine the cause of the sinking of F/V Cape Fear and the loss of two of its crewmen. F/V Cape Fear sank Jan. 8, 1999 after radioing a distress call reporting they were taking on water. Three of the five crewmen aboard Cape Fear were rescued by the crew of F/V Misty Dawn. The USCG conducted an extensive search for the two missing crewmen. The body of one crewmember was located on a beach near Gooseberry Neck the next day. The last crewman was not located and the search was suspended on Jan. 9. Cape Fear has since been salvaged and was brought to New Bedford, Mass. on Aug. 15, by the vessel's owner. It was subsequently drydocked at the Fairhaven Shipyard in Fairhaven, Mass.