Coast Guard suspends search near Manchester-by-the-Sea > U.S. Coast Guard News > Press Releases

BOSTON- The Coast Guard suspended its search Sunday, October 4, 2026, for a 37-year-old missing in the water near Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts.

At approximately 4:27 p.m. Saturday, Coast Guard Sector Boston observers received a report of a recreational vessel maneuvering in slow circles south of Graves Beach with no people visible on board.

Coast Guard Sector Boston issued a distress message and Coast Guard Station Gloucester launched a small 29-foot response boat crew, located the fleeing vessel and recovered a dog from the distressed boat. The dog was reunited with his family. The ship was later saved with commercial assistance.

A search for people in the water immediately began. The Manchester-by-the-Sea Harbor Master and Massachusetts State Police confirmed that three people were initially on board the vessel. The harbor masters of Beverly and Manchester-by-the-Sea each rescued one person from the water. One person was transported by MedFlight to Massachusetts General Hospital. The second person was transported to Beverly Hospital and was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Coast Guard crews and partner agencies were continuously searching for the latest missing person. Around 9:44 a.m. Sunday, Massachusetts Environmental Police began searching the area using side-scan sonar and a dive team.

“The decision to suspend a search is never taken lightly,” said Capt. Jamie Frederick, Sector Boston commander. “Our deepest condolences go out to the family and loved ones affected by this tragedy. We are grateful to our local, state and federal partners who supported the search efforts.”

Agencies participating in the search included Coast Guard Sector Boston, Coast Guard Station Gloucester, Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod, Salem Harbor Master, Beverly Harbor Master, Marblehead Harbor Master, Gloucester Harbor Master, Manchester-by-the-Sea Harbor Master, Manchester-by-the-Sea Fire Department, Gloucester Police Department, City Council Northeast Law Enforcement, Beverly Fire Department, Massachusetts Environmental Police and Massachusetts State Police.

-USCG-