Sunken Fishing Boat Found Off Martha's Vineyard

MARTHA'S VINEYARD, MA — A fishing vessel that capsized and sank with four fishermen aboard two weeks ago was found off Martha's Vineyard, Mass. Environmental Police told South Coast Today. The fishing vessel Leonardo, which had departed New Bedford, flipped over and sank about 25 miles off the southwest end of Martha's Vineyard on Nov. 24.

Environmental Police told South Coast Today the boat was found 140 feet below where the sinking was reported and was sitting perfectly upright. Officials sent a robot down to scan Leonardo but couldn't see inside because the windows were tinted.

Of the four fisherman aboard the vessel, just one was rescued, U.S. Coast Guard officials said. Ernie Garcia was rescued when he was found on a lifeboat, while the other three fishermen, Gerald Bretal, Mark Cormier,and Xavier Vega, were declared lost at seat.

The Cape Cod Times reported a dead man washed up Menemsha Beach on Martha’s Vineyard Saturday, but the state Medical Examiner's office has not confirmed if the body was from the sinking.