Mark Doughty, a 33-year-old fisherman from Gloucester, Massachusetts, went missing on August 5, 2001, after the fishing vessel *Starbound*, which he was aboard, was struck by a Russian oil tanker, the *Virgo*, 130 miles off Cape Ann. At the time of the collision, Mark was sleeping below deck, and the boat sank almost immediately, leaving little chance for the crew to escape.
Mark and two other crew members tragically lost their lives, while the captain, Joseph Marcantonio, was the sole survivor.
The *Starbound* was a trawler bound for Rockland, Maine, with a full load of herring when the incident occurred. The tanker failed to yield to the smaller fishing vessel, leading to the fatal crash. A subsequent Coast Guard investigation found no clear reason why the tanker did not prevent the collision, and despite legal proceedings in Canada, the charges against the tanker’s crew were eventually dropped. Mark’s body was never recovered, adding to the grief of his family, who continue to mourn his loss.
Mark left behind a wife and two young daughters, and his family remains deeply affected by his sudden and tragic death. Despite the passage of time, his memory continues to be honored by loved ones who seek to ensure that the tragedy of the *Starbound* is not forgotten.Last Seen: Aug 5, 2001
