PORTSMOUTH, Va.. – The Coast Guard is convening a Marine Board of Investigation into the sinking, with multiple loss of life, of the fishing vessel Lady Mary which occurred on March 24.
The board will convene a formal hearing Monday, April 6, in Cape May, N.J.
The board will consist of three Coast Guard officers led by Cmdr. Kyle McAvoy, who is proceeding under the authority of the Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety, Security, and Stewardship, in Washington, D.C.
The board’s purpose is to thoroughly investigate the facts and circumstances relating to the sinking of the vessel and develop conclusions and recommendations to improve the safety and operations of similar vessels.
The National Transportation Safety Board will participate with the Coast Guard. The NTSB representative can make recommendations on issues to consider, identify and examine witnesses, and may submit or request additional evidence in the course of the investigation.
The Lady Mary sank 75 miles off the coast of Cape May. The Coast Guard launched an intensive 37 hour search covering 3,417 square nautical miles after receiving an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon alert.
A Coast Guard helicopter crew recovered three Lady Mary crewmembers, two of which were unable to be resuscitated, Royal Smith Jr. and Timothy Smith, and one survivor, Jose Luis Arias.
Still missing are; Frank Reyes, Frankie Credle, William Torres, and Tarzon Smith,
