March 29, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

Remains found in waters off island> Body may be that of missing fisherman

VINALHAVEN — The body of missing fisherman Stephen Goodridge may have been found Monday morning south of Vinalhaven. The Vinalhaven fishing vessel Blue Thunder radioed the Rockland Coast Guard at 6:58 a.m. reporting the discovery of a body in the water. The Coast Guard went to the scene and recovered the body, which was taken to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Augusta by Laite & Pratt Funeral Home of Camden.

Dental records will be checked today to confirm the identity of the man, said Petty Officer Emon Meehan. He couldn’t comment on the man’s identity, but Andy Pratt of Laite & Pratt Funeral Home said the T-shirt found with the body was one he recognized as belonging to Goodridge, 56.

Stephen Goodridge’s fishing vessel, the Mary B., was found circling pilotless Aug. 19 near Rockport Harbor. The search for the missing Rockport fisherman continued for a week, but despite the use of underwater cameras and side-scan sonar, Goodridge’s body was not found.

Pratt is relieved by the possibility that the mystery is closer to being resolved, but is still affected by the accident.

“He was a close friend,” said Pratt. “I have a sailboat, and my children and I just haven’t been able to use it for the past two weeks.”

Though confirmation won’t be made until after the Medical Examiner’s Office checks dental records, Pratt feels Goodridge has been found.

“Of course, we can’t say now for certain, but, off the cuff, I believe it’s him,” said Pratt.


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