F/V Lobsta I - Lost At Sea - Point Judith, Rhode Island - Maritime Monuments and Memorials on Waymarking.com

This granite memorial for the crew of the lobster fishing vessel Lobsta I stands across from the southeast shore of Galilee Salt Pond Harbor - an active fishing port - along Great Island Road in Narragansett, Rhode Island. It honors the five men lost at sea on September 23, 1978.

The north/front side is engraved with an anchor at each of the top corners. An inscription fills the remainder of the face:

F/V LOBSTA I
LOST AT SEA SEPT. 23, 1978

CAPT. STEPHEN HOYT AGE 27
BRADFORD WILLIAMS AGE 26 -- STEPHEN STICKLEY AGE 25
DAVID PATTY AGE 29 -- NIGEL ALLAN AGE 27

IN LOVING MEMORY
FROM THEIR FAMILIES

The south-facing side is engraved with a short phrase near the top edge: THE FINEST KIND

About the incident:

"MARINE ACCIDENT REPORT: FISHING VESSEL M/V LOBSTA-1 CAPSIZING AND SINKING IN ATLANTIC OCEAN, POINT JUDITH, RHODE ISLAND, SEPTEMBER 23, 1978

About 0100 E.D.T., on September 23, 1978, the fishing vessel MV LOBSTA-I capsized in the Atlantic Ocean about 47 nmi south-southeast of Point Judith, Rhode Island, while en route to its lobster fishing area. The capsized vessel was sighted about 12 hours after the accident by a tankship. Subsequently, a Coast Guard helicopter sighted the capsized vessel but it sank before the Coast Guard cutter could reach it. The Coast Guard conducted an extensive search in the area but found no survivors. The LOBSTA-I was later located resting upright on the bottom at a 234-ft water depth, and photographs, showing damage to the vessel's hull plating were taken by a shipboard controlled, underwater vehicle. All five crewmen are missing and presumed dead. The Safety Board considered many factors during the investigation, including vessel stability, operating practices, weather forecasting, and the possibility of collision. The National Transportation Safety Board is unable to determine the probable cause of the capsizing of the LOBSTA-I. Vessel damage indicates a collision with another vessel as a possible cause of the capsizing; however, the evidence is not sufficient to establish that such a collision occurred. Another possible, but less likely, cause is the loss of stability due to internal flooding. The lack of distress notification may have contributed to the loss of life."
Source: Transportation Research Board

An internet search on the crew returned information only specifically about Captain Stephen Hoyt. As his mother was press secretary to First Lady Rosalynn Carter at the time, the Washington Post included an article about the loss. The story says the voyage was his first on the 75-fooot trawler, which he was making plans to be a part owner, following three years of commanding fishing boats, and the whole crew had been longtime friends.

The monument is on a small public lawn at the east side of Great Island Road and near the sidewalk directly across from the Block Island Ferry terminal. Free on-street parking is available, but spaces may be limited, especially during the summer beach/tourist season. Pay-to-park lots are also nearby.

List if there are any visiting hours: Visit any time of day. Sponsor(s): Family Relevent website: Not listed Entrance fees (if any): Not listed Parking coordinates: Not Listed Date dedicated: Not listed

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