Coast Guard searches for missing boat crewmen

BOSTON – The Coast Guard searched the ocean near Martha’s Vineyard on Saturday for possible survivors from a capsized commercial fishing boat.

The crew of the swordfishing vessel Tenacious reported passing the 40- to 60-foot Nancy Christine while bound for port Friday evening. Soon after, they saw white smoke on the water, went back to investigate and spotted the overturned hull, Coast Guard officials said.

A Coast Guard helicopter crew spotted the hull and a nearby life raft but no people, officials said.

Crew members Wayne Ingham and Michael Leonardo were missing, the Coast Guard said. The pair sometimes fish with a third man, but it was not immediately known who he is or if he was on the boat.

A cutter and a helicopter were being used to search the area, roughly 4 1/2 miles south of the southeastern tip of Martha’s Vineyard, said Coast Guard Petty Officer Greg Ford.

State police divers also were being sent to the scene, Ford said.