Fisherman dead, captain and fellow crew member arrested following distress call, officials say

VINALHAVEN, Maine (WABI/Gray News) - A fisherman is dead, and two members of his crew are in police custody.

According to the Maine Marine Patrol, a distress call was made around 4:45 p.m. Thursday reporting that a crew member from a fishing vessel had fallen overboard near Vinalhaven.

Marine Patrol and the U.S. Coast Guard Station Rockland responded.

A good Samaritan ended up pulling the man from the water and performing CPR before first responders arrived, with the fisherman being taken to Dyer Island.

However, officials said the man, later identified as 57-year-old Marshal Ames, did not survive despite the life-saving measures.

Marine Patrol officers then contacted the vessel’s captain, Geoffrey Barrett, 39. Authorities said they took him into custody while investigating what happened.

Barrett’s charges include assault, as officials said he got into an altercation with them at the dock. He was also charged with felony boating under the influence, officials said.

Additionally, another crew member, Theodore Lane, 27, was arrested during the investigation. His charges include assault and disorderly conduct.

Both men were taken to the Knox County Jail.

Ames’ body has been transported by an area funeral home for examination by the chief medical examiner.

The Knox County District Attorney’s Office and the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit are assisting the Maine Marine Patrol.

The investigation remains ongoing.