Wreckage of F/V Mistress Found Near Block Island Wind Turbine After 7-Year Search

Key points

• Green Oceans, a Rhode Island-based environmental group, announced the discovery of the F/V Mistress wreckage in September 2026, located 92 feet underwater near turbine No. 1 at the Block Island Wind Farm.
• The vessel sank on January 1, 2019, resulting in the deaths of two fishermen; the U.S. Coast Guard failed to locate the wreckage during the initial search.
• The discovery was prompted by tips from two contractors who had previously worked near the turbine, one of whom reported spotting underwater wreckage during survey work.
• Green Oceans president Michael Lombardi confirmed the wreck with 100% certainty, citing unique features of the net drum, which was built by survivor Tim Diaz.
• Lombardi suggested the vessel may have attempted an avoidance maneuver to starboard to avoid the turbine, potentially causing it to roll and sink, and is urging federal agencies to reopen the investigation.

Background

The F/V Mistress sinking in 2019 remained unresolved for seven years, with the U.S. Coast Guard unable to locate the vessel or the bodies of the two deceased fishermen. The discovery of the wreckage near an offshore wind turbine raises questions about the safety implications of offshore wind development and whether the turbine's presence contributed to the accident. This incident highlights the ongoing debate regarding the environmental and maritime safety impacts of offshore wind projects, particularly in the context of permitting decisions on the continental shelf.

Why it matters

The discovery of the F/V Mistress wreckage near a Block Island Wind Farm turbine could lead to a reopened federal investigation into the 2019 sinking, potentially revealing whether the turbine contributed to the accident. This case may influence future offshore wind permitting decisions by highlighting safety concerns related to vessel collisions with wind turbines. The findings could also provide closure for the families of the two fishermen who died, as well as raise broader questions about the interaction between maritime traffic and offshore wind infrastructure.

What to watch

Green Oceans is urging federal authorities, including the U.S. Coast Guard, to reopen the investigation into the F/V Mistress sinking. The organization hopes to determine whether the two deceased fishermen remain within the wreckage or were swept out to sea, and whether an avoidance maneuver to avoid the turbine contributed to the sinking. The discovery may also prompt a review of safety considerations in offshore wind permitting processes.