The U.S. Coast Guard on Sunday afternoon announced it has suspended its search for a missing Down East lobsterman whose boat was found Friday night with no one aboard.
Coast Guard officials on Sunday called off the search for Tylar Michaud, 18, pictured here, after he failed to return Friday from checking his traps on his boat off Petit Manan Island. Photo courtesy of Gouldsboro Fire and Rescue
Tylar Michaud, 18, of Steuben, was working alone Friday, Coast Guard officials said. His boat, named Top Gun, was found Friday night around 5 p.m. near Jonesport. He was reported missing after failing to return from a day of hauling and setting traps near Petit Manan island, several miles off the fishing village of Steuben.
The search continued through the weekend but was complicated by dense fog Saturday. The Coast Guard tweeted Sunday that it has suspended the search for Michaud following an air and water search that lasted more than 40 hours.
Crews from Coast Guard stations in Jonesport and Southwest Harbor, the Coast Guard cutter Sturgeon, the Maine Marine Patrol, a helicopter from the Maine Forest Service, and the Maine National Guard participated in the hunt for Michaud. Aircraft from the Coast Guard base on Cape Cod were also deployed.
“The search is suspended pending further developments,” the Coast Guard tweeted.
“The decision to suspend a search and rescue case is one of the most difficult decisions I must make,” Cmdr. Megan Drewniak said in a news release. “Our thoughts remain with Tylar’s family, friends and loved ones.”
After learning that the search for Michaud had been called off, the principal of the Charles M. Sumner Learning Campus in Sullivan issued a statement regarding Michaud, a 2023 graduate of Sumner Memorial High School.
“Tylar Michaud, a recent 2023 graduate of Sumner Memorial High School went missing while pursuing his passion as a dedicated lobsterman,” Principal Jackson Green wrote Sunday. “Effective today, the United States Coast Guard and Maine Marine Patrol Service have switched their operations from a rescue to a recovery mission.
“We will all remain hopeful that somehow, some way Tylar may still be found alive,” Green continued. “During his time at Sumner, Tylar touched the lives of many within our close-knit community. He was not only an exceptional student, but also a compassionate, kind-hearted individual who always went above and beyond to lend a helping hand to others. His smile and unwavering positivity brightened the lives of everyone he encountered, leaving a lasting impression on the hearts of teachers, staff and fellow students alike.”
Green invited the community to come to the campus Monday. Mental health counselors will be available between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. to meet with individuals or in groups to help the community cope.
“At Sumner, we are committed to standing by one another, helping those who are struggling and finding ways to cherish the memories of our beloved Tylar,” Green said.
The Sumner Learning Campus, which is home to the high school and middle school, is located on Route 1 in Sullivan.
Petit Manan, where Michaud went missing, is about 14 miles northeast of Bar Harbor. It is home to an abundant seabird population and one of the oldest and tallest lighthouses on the Maine coast.
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