A massive search is underway for a commercial fisherman reported missing from a lobster boat in the Atlantic Ocean five miles south of Montauk Point, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
A fisherman reported Monday morning that John Aldridge, a crewmember of the Anna Mary, a 44-foot vessel, had not responded to callbacks from another fishing boat since 9 p.m. Tuesday, the Coast Guard said.
He is described as a 5-foot, 9-inch tall man weighing 150 pounds who was last seen wearing a t-shirt, shorts and sandals. He was not wearing a life jacket.
Coast Guard Station Montauk, which overlooks Montauk Harbor–New York State’s largest commercial fishing port–is leading the search that includes two rescue boat crews, the Cutter Sailfish from Sandy Hook, New Jersey and two rescue helicopters from Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod.
Several commercial fishing vessels and good Samaritans are assisting in the search, according to the Coast Guard.
The case comes two months after a seasoned commercial fisherman died after the boat her was on capsized near Shinnecock Inlet in the Hamptons.
