In the quiet coastal community of Brick, New Jersey, the life of 30-year-old Paulo Matos was deeply intertwined with the sea. A commercial fisherman by trade, he was known for his dedication to his work and his love for his family. In early February 2018, Matos, along with his crew member, embarked on what was expected to be a routine fishing trip off the Atlantic coast. The vessel they sailed on, a 46-foot dragger named the FV Queen Anne's Revenge, was a familiar sight in the local waters. Matos had reportedly purchased the boat the previous October and was working to build his life in the fishing industry. The trip began like any other, with hopes of a successful haul and a safe return to loved ones waiting at home.
The initial part of the voyage seemed to proceed as planned. On the afternoon of Wednesday, February 7, 2018, Matos made contact, indicating they were bringing in their last haul and would soon be heading for shore.
However, as evening approached, the weather took a turn for the worse. A winter storm was moving through the area, churning up the seas. In the early hours of Thursday, the situation aboard the Queen Anne's Revenge became dire. At approximately 1:20 a.m., the vessel's emergency position-indicating radio beacon was activated, signaling that the crew was in distress. The alert was received by the U.S. Coast Guard, and a distress call was also relayed by other fishermen in the area who had heard the call from Matos and his crewmate. Their last known position was about 40 miles off the coast of Barnegat Light.
The Coast Guard immediately launched a search and rescue operation, dispatching an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Air Station Atlantic City. Despite their swift response and the efforts of good Samaritan fishing boats that joined the search, the vastness of the ocean and the rough conditions, with seas reaching 7 to 10 feet and winds blowing at 25 miles per hour, hampered their efforts. Search crews did locate the EPIRB, but there was no sign of the Queen Anne's Revenge or its two-man crew. After scouring thousands of square miles of the Atlantic over two days, the Coast Guard made the difficult decision to suspend the active search on the evening of Friday, February 9. The family of Paulo Matos, who had been anxiously awaiting news at their home in Brick, was informed that he and his crew member were presumed lost at sea. In the wake of this tragedy, the community rallied around Matos's family, offering support and sharing in their grief for a young man who had made his life on the water he loved.Last Seen: Feb 7, 2018
