Boat Sinks; 5 Crewmen Are Missing

BOSTON —  Five fishermen were missing Monday night after their boat capsized and sank about 45 miles southeast of Nantucket.

The Coast Guard mounted a search with boats and aircraft, continuing late into the night in high waves and freezing weather.

The 75-foot New Bedford-based vessel with six crew members sent an emergency signal at 4:44 p.m. Shortly after, a mayday followed, reporting that the vessel, Northern Edge, had overturned and was sinking.

One crew member was rescued by another fishing vessel. Officials said Pedro Furtado was in a life raft, but there was no sign of his crewmates.

“All hands were on deck when the boat went down,” Coast Guard spokesman Andrew Shinn said. “We have no way of knowing what the disposition of the others is.”

The Coast Guard launched a helicopter and plane from its Air Station Cape Cod to try to spot the remaining five crew members in 15-foot seas. The Coast Guard also sent a cutter and a patrol boat to search the area.