The bodies of fishing boat captain Shawn Arsenault, 64, and his girlfriend Felicia Daley, 54, were discovered Wednesday, June 11, aboard their sunken vessel in Cape Cod Bay after a three-day search by the U.S. Coast Guard.
The couple departed Rock Harbor in Orleans, Massachusetts on Sunday, June 8, aboard the 30-foot fishing boat F/V Seahorse for a clamming expedition near the Target Ship Wreck off Eastham. They were reported missing Tuesday morning when Arsenault’s truck remained parked at the marina two days after their departure.
A recreational boater discovered the submerged white-hulled vessel around 2:00 p.m. Wednesday near Brewster beaches, approximately five miles from where they initially set out. The boat was found in approximately 20 to 25 feet of water on Billingsgate Shoal.
Paul Arsenault, the captain’s brother, told reporters that both bodies were located inside the boat’s wheelhouse without life jackets. He indicated that no distress call had been made, suggesting the incident occurred rapidly. Paul Arsenault believes the vessel became entangled with underwater wreckage, causing it to sink quickly.
The Coast Guard cutter William Sparling arrived at the scene within 30 minutes of the discovery. Divers from the Massachusetts Environmental Police and the Massachusetts State Police confirmed the vessel’s identity and recovered the bodies. Next of kin were notified, though officials did not initially release the victims’ identities publicly.
Witnesses reported seeing Arsenault discard electronic equipment overboard shortly after leaving the harbor Sunday morning. Coast Guard Commander Cliff Graham confirmed receiving these reports but could not specify what equipment was thrown. Items reportedly discarded included a radar dome and a GPS unit.
Sam Miller and her father discovered a GPS navigator marked “F/V Seahorse” while walking on a nearby beach Sunday morning. They left the device with a note on Arsenault’s pickup truck at the marina. When the truck remained untouched on Monday, Miller’s family contacted the harbormaster, who then alerted the Coast Guard.
The search operation began Tuesday morning and involved multiple agencies, including the Coast Guard, Massachusetts State Police, Massachusetts Environmental Police, and local harbor masters. Initial efforts focused on an area two miles offshore from Chatham, where a cellphone ping had last located the vessel.
Coast Guard spokesman Quinn LeCain explained that search crews were deployed to both sides of Cape Cod due to the high degree of variability in cellphone ping locations. The boat was ultimately found inside the bay rather than in the initially suspected Chatham area.
Paul Arsenault described his brother as an experienced fisherman who had worked on boats throughout his life. Sunday’s trip marked only the third outing on the Seahorse, which Shawn Arsenault had spent six years saving to purchase. The captain had recently installed new radar equipment and a fish finder, expressing excitement about the upgraded technology.
The Orleans harbormaster, Nathan Sears, noted that the boat had experienced mechanical issues recently but appeared to be in working order after repairs. Sears explained that quahog draggers like the Seahorse tow heavy steel cages behind them, which can cause vessels to roll and sink rapidly if they become snagged on the ocean floor.
Charter operator Hap Farrell, familiar with the vessel, expressed concerns about its stability. He described the boat as having a round hull design with equipment positioned high, making it susceptible to capsizing if it became entangled while dragging.
Arsenault and Daley had been dating for several months and were described by Paul as being “absolutely nuts about each other.” Friends characterized Daley as a loyal companion, with Scott Amerault, who had known her since high school, noting that she was the type of person who made an excellent friend.
Before departing Sunday, Shawn Arsenault told his brother he would not return until he reached the 30-bag clam limit. Paul Arsenault noted this typically required only a day’s work, making the extended absence particularly concerning.
Weather conditions were not considered a factor in the vessel’s disappearance, though search efforts were hampered by fog and thunderstorms during the three-day operation. The Coast Guard had issued an urgent marine information broadcast and activated the Cape Cod Mutual Response System to coordinate the extensive search effort.
The Coast Guard has launched an investigation to determine the specific circumstances that led to the vessel’s sinking. Officials are requesting anyone with additional information to contact the Sector Southeastern New England command center at 866-819-9128.