New Evidence Uncovered in Long-standing Fishing Boat Mystery

WHO:

Fox News - Green Oceans, a Rhode Island-based environmental organization, is involved in the discovery.

Fox News - Michael Lombardi is the president of Green Oceans.

Fox News - Capt. Drake Nicholas is associated with Mel Fisher’s Shipwreck Expeditions.

Fox News - Tim Diaz is a survivor of the sinking incident.

WHAT:

Fox News - Green Oceans announced the discovery of what it believes is the F/V Mistress, a fishing boat that sank on January 1, 2019.

Fox News - The wreckage was found approximately 92 feet underwater, just 50 feet from the base of a wind turbine at the Block Island Wind Farm.

Fox News - "Apparent human remains" were reported found at the site of the wreckage.

Fox News - Lombardi stated he is "100%" confident that the wreck is the F/V Mistress.

Fox News - The dive team identified key features of the vessel, including a unique net drum.

WHERE:

Fox News - The wreckage was discovered in the waters off Block Island, near turbine No. 1 at the Block Island Wind Farm.

WHEN:

Fox News - The F/V Mistress sank on January 1, 2019.

Fox News - The discovery of the wreckage was announced in September.

WHY:

Fox News - Green Oceans began searching for the vessel after receiving tips from contractors who had worked near the wind turbine.

Fox News - Lombardi hopes federal authorities will reopen the investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the sinking and the fate of the two fishermen who died.

HOW:

Fox News - Lombardi reviewed the Coast Guard's original accident report and plotted GPS coordinates associated with distress calls to focus the search area.

Fox News - The discovery could have implications for future permitting decisions regarding offshore wind development, according to Lombardi.

(UPDATED October 12, 2026 17:03 UTC)

Green Oceans, a Rhode Island-based environmental organization led by President Michael Lombardi, has announced the discovery of what they believe to be the F/V Mistress, a fishing boat that sank on January 1, 2019, near turbine No. 1 at the Block Island Wind Farm. The wreckage, found approximately 92 feet underwater, included "apparent human remains," and Lombardi expressed his confidence that this is indeed the F/V Mistress, citing key features identified by the dive team. Lombardi hopes that federal authorities will reopen the investigation into the sinking and the fate of the two fishermen who died, as this discovery may also impact future permitting decisions for offshore wind development.