1973 — May 19, unseaworthy fishing boat Comet leaks & founders off Point Judith, RI– 16

–16 NTSB. M/V Comet, Point Judith, Rhode Island, May 19, 1973.
–16 USCG. Foundering of the…Comet Off Point Judith, Rhode Island on 19 May 1973. 1974.

Narrative Information

NTSB Synopsis: “During its last inspection by the Coast Guard on May 19, 1971, numerous deficiencies were found in the hull of the Comet, which resulted in the owner’s forfeiture of the vessel’s certificate to carry passengers for hire. Consequently, the owners placed the Comet for sale without making repairs. On June 14, 1972, the new owner took possession of the Comet, and not being informed of the extent of the deficiencies, operated the Comet without restoring the hull to a seaworthy condition.

“At approximately 0710, on May 19, 1973, the M/V Comet, with a fishing party of 25 and a crew of two (including the unlicensed captain-owner), departed Galilee, R.I. Small craft warning had been lowered at 0600. Shortly after departing, the vessel encountered moderate seas, and at approximately 0800, the Comet flooded and quickly sank by the stern. Most of the persons were able to don their life preservers before abandoning the Comet and entering the 48⁰F. waters off Point Judith, R.I. There was no ‘Mayday’ message. About 22 persons swam to and held on to the Comet’s buoyant apparatus and flotsam. Within an hour of abandonment, two persons died, and about six more died within 3 hours of abandonment.

“At approximately 1230, a passing yacht, the sailing sloop Decibel, slighted survivors of the Comet, commenced picking them up, and notified the Coast Guard. The first Coast Guard boat arrived on scene about 23 minutes later. Of the 27 persons on board, 11 were rescued, 12 died, and 4 are missing.

“The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the sinking of the Comet was major, undetected flooding due to the ingress of water through the deteriorated hull planking. The loss of life following the sinking was caused by the absence of a radio distress call, the absence of signal devise for use by persons in the water, and the lack of adequate equipment to protect the victims from prolonged exposure to cold water.” (p. 3 in USCG.)

USCG: “The Coast Guard, on its last inspection of the COMET, May 19, 1971, found numerous deficiencies in the hull of the boat. On June 14, 1972, a new owner took possession of the COMET without being aware of the extent of its deficiencies, and began to operate it without restoring it to a seaworthy condition. On May 19, 1973, the COMET sank off Point Judith, Rhode Island, with a fishing party of 25 and a crew of two aboard. Most of the persons were able to don life preservers before abandoning the COMET and entering the 48F. waters. No MAYDAY was transmitted over the radio, but by chance encounter, the sailing sloop DECIBEL sighted and rescued survivors 4.5 hours after the sinking. Only 11 of the 27 persons on board were saved. The National Transportation Safety Board determines that the probable cause of the sinking was major, undetected flooding due to the ingress of water through the deteriorated hull planking. The lengthy exposure to cold water, due to the inability to summon an earlier rescue, resulted in a large loss of life.”

Sources

United States Coast Guard, Marine Board of Investigation. Foundering of the Motor Vessel Comet Off Point Judith, Rhode Island on 19 May 1973 with Loss of Life. Washington, DC: Commandant, USCG, Oct 13, 1974, 29 p. At: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/docs/boards/comet.pdf
Abstract accessed 1-7-2022 at: https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/ADA017636