Aaron Barrett, a 36-year-old fisherman from Cutler, Maine, went missing on January 18, 2025. He was last seen aboard his 34-foot scallop fishing vessel, "Sudden Impact," which he and his father, Chester Barrett, were operating. The pair had left Cobscook Bay State Park early that morning, intending to travel to Eastern Harbor in South Addison. However, they encountered rough sea conditions and changed course, planning to seek refuge in Cutler.
The last communication with the fishermen was around 11:30 a.m. that day. When they failed to return as expected, a search effort was launched, covering 950 square miles of ocean and coastline over 42 hours. Despite these efforts, the Coast Guard suspended the search due to safety concerns.
On January 23, the Maine Department of Marine Resources confirmed that the "Sudden Impact" had been found submerged in 160 feet of water near Moose Cove, between Cutler and Lubec. A remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROV) with a sonar camera located the vessel and captured images of what is believed to be a body on board.
Commercial divers, Maine Marine Patrol officers, and volunteer fishermen have been assisting in the recovery efforts. The Barrett family has received significant support from the community, including a GoFundMe page set up to help cover expenses. The Maine Marine Patrol continues to work with the family to determine the next steps for recovery.
The case remains under investigation, and the family is hopeful that the bodies of Chester and Aaron Barrett will be recovered soon.Last Seen: Jan 18, 2025
