Wreckage Discovery Near Block Island Wind Farm Spurs Calls for Investigation

A wreck believed to be the commercial fishing vessel F/V Mistress was located by scientific divers in waters near Block Island Wind Farm. The vessel, a 16m timber trawler built in Maine in 1984, is said to have been missing since January 1, 2019. The discovery was made during an underwater investigation sponsored by Green Oceans, and divers documented features consistent with the Mistress, including its bronze propeller and fuel tanks. The organization states that the discovery includes apparent human remains.

The wreck was found within 50 feet of Turbine #1. Green Oceans has supplied sonar imagery and underwater photographs to US federal and Rhode Island authorities. The organization is calling on the federal government to reopen the marine casualty investigation into the sinking and to independently examine the new evidence due to its proximity to the operational wind farm.