Sunken Boat Found 50 Feet from Rhode Island Wind Turbine

A Longstanding Maritime Mystery Solved

A tragic maritime mystery from 2019 has taken a major turn.

New coverage in October 2026 by Fox News has brought fresh attention to the disappearance of the F/V Mistress.

The wooden fishing boat vanished off Block Island, Rhode Island, on New Year's Day in 2019.

For over seven years, no one knew where the vessel lay on the ocean floor.

Now, divers say they have finally located the sunken ship remarkably close to an offshore wind turbine.

The Fateful Night of January 1, 2019

The tragedy unfolded around 4:00 a.m. on January 1, 2019.

Fierce weather battered the waters roughly 2.5 miles southeast of Block Island.

Seas reached heights of 10 feet, while winds gusted from 30 to 35 knots.

Inside the storm, Captain Oscar Diaz issued a desperate distress call over the radio.

"Mayday, mayday, we’re sinking at the wind farm."

Three men were on board the 56-ton wooden vessel during the storm.

Captain Oscar Diaz was navigating alongside his son, Tim Diaz.

They were accompanied by deckhand John Ansay Jr., who had just celebrated his 31st birthday onboard the Sunday before.

The Search and Rescue Operation

A nearby commercial fishing vessel named the F/V Captain Bligh responded first to the distress call.

The crew of the Captain Bligh spotted Tim Diaz floating in a life raft and pulled him to safety.

Tragically, Captain Oscar Diaz and deckhand John Ansay Jr. were lost in the ocean.

The U.S. Coast Guard launched a massive search effort shortly after the emergency call.

Rescuers scanned an area spanning 2,152 square miles over nearly 72 hours.

Despite extensive efforts, the Coast Guard suspended operations at 5:13 p.m. on a Wednesday without finding the boat.

Community Impact and Vessel Background

The disappearance weighed heavily on the Point Judith fishing community for years.

Richard Fuka, president of the Rhode Island Fishermen’s Alliance at the time, highlighted the deep grief felt by locals.

Inquiries into the vessel later revealed missing paperwork regarding its structural history.

The F/V Mistress was owned by Hope Fisheries, Inc.

Coast Guard investigators found that the owner could not provide records of hull surveys to confirm the boat's condition.

Built in 1984, the vessel featured a wooden hull with a gross tonnage of 56 tons.

How Divers Located the Wreck in 2026

The breakthrough came in July 2026 thanks to Green Oceans, a marine research nonprofit based in Rhode Island.

The research team used side-scan sonar to map the seabed in detail.

Michael Lombardi, president of Green Oceans, explained how the team zeroed in on the spot.

"We had tips that pointed us in this direction."

Those tips came from two contractors who had previously performed work near turbine No. 1.

On August 30, 2026, divers descended to inspect the site visually.

They confirmed the wreckage rested just 50 feet away from turbine No. 1 at the Block Island Wind Farm.

Context on the Block Island Wind Farm

The Block Island Wind Farm holds a prominent place in American energy history.

It stands as the first commercial offshore wind facility in the United States, operating since 2016.

Its massive turbines rise 600 feet high into the air.

According to CBS News, the facility generates enough electricity to power roughly 17,000 homes.

Key Findings at the Dive Site

During the dive on August 30, 2026, researchers verified crucial components of the wreck.

Divers documented a net drum sitting upside down on the ocean floor.

Survivor Tim Diaz later confirmed the piece belonged to the F/V Mistress.

He recognized the net drum immediately because he had constructed the equipment himself.

The inverted position aligned with early Coast Guard conclusions that the ship rolled over while sinking.

Furthermore, divers documented finding three small bone fragments believed to be human.

They also noted additional potential human remains near the ship's wheelhouse structure.

New Questions Surrounding the Incident

The exact orientation of the wreck has introduced new technical questions about the accident.

Michael Lombardi noted that the ship's position raises questions about its final movements.

Investigators wonder if the crew attempted an emergency turn to starboard to avoid hitting the wind turbine.

If the captain executed a sudden sharp turn, that movement could have forced a waterlogged hull to capsize.

This discovery highlights ongoing discussions about navigation safety and search-and-rescue protocols near offshore wind installations.

Submitting the Official Report

On September 5, 2026, Green Oceans completed a detailed 43-page report on their findings.

The organization shared the comprehensive document with key federal agencies.

Copies were delivered to the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Representatives of the victims' families were also provided with the report.

While the discovery provides long-awaited answers, the emotional burden remains heavy for loved ones.

"There’s no closure, not yet."

These poignant words from John Ansay Sr., father of deckhand John Ansay Jr., capture the ongoing struggle of the families involved.

Key Details of the Event

• Date of Sinking: January 1, 2019 around 4:00 AM
• Location: 2.5 miles southeast of Block Island, Rhode Island
• Distance to Turbine: Found 50 feet from Turbine No. 1 at Block Island Wind Farm
• Vessel Specifications: 56 gross tons, 1984 wooden hull, owned by Hope Fisheries, Inc.
• Casualties: Captain Oscar Diaz and deckhand John Ansay Jr. passed away; Tim Diaz survived
• Discovery Date: Sonar detection in July 2026; dive confirmation on August 30, 2026
• Reporting: 43-page report submitted September 5, 2026 to USCG, NTSB, and families