Shipwreck, apparent human remains found 7 years after boat sank in Atlantic

A fishing vessel that sank off the coast of Rhode Island on New Year's Day in 2019, the F/V Mistress, has likely been located after seven years, according to a non-profit oceanic protection organization. The ship was carrying three men, Captain Oscar Diaz, his son Tim, and nephew John Ansay. A distress call was sent shortly after midnight on January 1, 2019, as the ship encountered rough weather near Block Island and began taking on water.

Tim Diaz was successfully rescued by another fishing boat, while Oscar Diaz and John Ansay were not found despite extensive searches. The wreckage of the ship was discovered last week at a depth of 92 feet underwater, according to Green Oceans. Divers found features on the wreck that matched the description of the F/V Mistress. Additionally, human remains believed to belong to one of the deceased fishermen were also found.

Green Oceans has requested an interagency investigation by the U.S. Department of the Interior, including reopening the Coast Guard's investigation, and is also seeking an investigation into if the Block Island Wind Farm may have contributed to the wreck or the failure to rescue the two men. The wind farm is located just about 50 feet from the wreck site.

Federal authorities have deemed the wind farm's impact on navigation safety minimal. Green Oceans hopes this discovery will provide answers and some measure of closure for the families of the fishermen.