The Search for Lobsterman Is Called Off

Sadly, the search for the 46-year-old lobsterman from Kittery, Maine was called off. The Coast Guard had searched into the night for Christopher Tobey, who was reported missing Monday morning. Searchers covered about 270 square miles by sea and air but with no results.

“Ending a search is one of the hardest decisions to make. We thoroughly covered the area with air and surface assets in hopes of finding Mr. Tobey. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to his family and friends and the entire fishing community,” said Capt. James Rendon, commanding officer of the Coast Guard's northern New England sector, according to Portsmouth Herald News.

Authorities said that Tobey's lobster boat, Save-A-Buck, apparently sank off the Isles of Shoals with his 16-year-old son and a 21-year-old crewman aboard. Only these two were found and rescued by the search crew.

The Coast Guard plans an investigation to find out why the boat capsized.

Apparently the teenager and the crewman spent the night on Duck Island and built a fire to keep them warm.

“They were brought to the Coast Guard, where they were met by ambulances and taken to Portsmouth Regional Hospital. They had no flotation devices with them when they were picked up,” Officer Connie Terrell said, as Portsmouth Herald News reported.

Friends and family of Chris Tobey gathered at the Kittery town pier to share their grief. They made no comment to the media gathered there.