June 23, 2016 — The following was released by the Maine Department of Marine Resources:
The Maine Marine Patrol is working to notify relatives of two people who died yesterday while kayaking near Corea, Maine. Members of Marine Patrol responded last night after being notified at 7 p.m. that a party of three was missing after leaving for a day on the water at approximately noon. One member of the party survived and was transported to Eastern Maine Medical Center.
The two deceased individuals have been transported to the Medical Examiner’s office in Augusta for an autopsy.
According to the surviving member of the party, the trio encountered rough seas at some point during their day trip, likely caused by a passing weather front.
The waves, reportedly three to five feet high, caused all three kayaks to capsize in the approximately fifty-two degree water. After failing to return at a previously established time, the boaters were reported as overdue to United States Coast Guard authorities and Maine State Police Dispatch, which then notified the Maine Marine Patrol.
A search and rescue effort was immediately launched and involved Coast Guard vessels, Maine Marine Patrol a Maine Marine Patrol Protector vessel, a Coast Guard Helicopter, and area fishermen.
Responding from Marine Patrol were Sergeant Colin Macdonald, Officers Royce Eaton, Richard Derberghosian, Tom Reardon and Jeff Turcotte.
According to Marine Patrol reports, shortly after 8 p.m., a female victim was recovered by a local lobster fisherman. After being transferred to a Coast Guard vessel and transported to shore, the female victim was taken to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor by Lifeflight of Maine where she is recovering.
Approximately a half hour later, a second victim, was recovered by a local lobster fisherman and was unresponsive. The male victim was transported to shore and pronounced dead by local EMS personnel.
At approximately 10 p.m. the third victim, a 54 year old male, was located by a local lobster fisherman. Maine Marine Patrol personnel recovered the third victim who was also pronounced dead at the scene.
According to Marine Patrol reports, the victims were wearing t-shirts and shorts. All members of the party were wearing life jackets. The victims and survivor were recovered approximately half way between Cranberry Point and Petit Manan Island. Water temperature was in the low 50s.
Pending next of kin notification, the names of the victims are not being released at this time.
The investigation into the cause of this incident is ongoing and involves the Maine Marine Patrol and the U.S. Coast Guard.