
The search for a missing lobsterman was suspended Friday night after multiple agencies searched more than 700 square nautical miles, the U.S. Coast Guard said Saturday.
The man was identified as Scott Cluff, 64, of Kennebunkport, who went missing Thursday while fishing off Kennebunkport, according to the Coast Guard Sector Northern New England.
Cluff has not been found, Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Ryan Koroknay said Saturday.
“Suspending a search for a family’s loved one is one of the hardest decisions I must make,” Coast Guard Capt. Amy Florentino said. “My deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends during this difficult time.”
Cluff and his 12-foot skiff never made it back from hauling traps between Walker’s Point and Cape Porpoise, the Coast Guard and other agencies learned around 6:40 p.m. Thursday.
The Coast Guard launched a 47-foot lifeboat from Station Portsmouth Harbor to lead the search. A plane and helicopter scanned the water above, while the Maine Marine Patrol, the Kennebunk Police Department, York County and the Cape Porpoise Harbormaster, as well as civilians, helped with the search effort. Florentino said the teamwork and professionalism shown by the agencies and community “was tremendous.”
Early Friday, crews found the lobsterman’s skiff overturned on the rocks at Walker’s Point, and debris – including a plastic tote, a lifejacket and a boot – was found along the shoreline.
All indications lead to a scenario in which the fisherman entered the water, the Coast Guard said.
During a news conference Friday, Coast Guard officials said they believed the lobsterman was near the shoreline when he went missing and was not wearing a wetsuit. It was unclear whether he was wearing a life jacket, officials said.
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less