Crime & Safety

Coast Guard Investigating Montauk Fisherman's Death

Coast Guard will determine how wire parted, fatally injuring 24-year-old Donald Alversa on a dragger off North Carolina Saturday night.

While Donald Alversa's family make his funeral arrangements, the Coast Guard has launched an investigation into his death. 

Alversa, a 24-year-old fisherman from Montauk, was pronounced dead Saturday night at a Virginia hospital where he was airlifted following a reported accident aboard the "Jason & Danielle," a 90-foot dragger.

Petty Officer 1st Class Brandyn Hill said Alversa sustained injuries to his head and neck after a wire on the commercial fishing vessel parted. 

The Coast Guard received a call for a Medevac at about 8:30 p.m., and a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Elizabeth City, in North Carolina, responded to the boat, located 45 miles northeast of Kill Devil Hills, N.C. Alversa was hoisted into the helicopter, and during transport to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, his condition deteriorated and CPR began, Hill said. 

Though the Coast Guard's rescue mission is closed, Hill said the Coast Guard Sector North Carolina, based in Wilmington, is leading an investigation into the cause of his death. Hill said it is standard protocol following any fisherman's death at sea. 

The next port of call for the "Jason & Danielle" is Cape May, N.J., Hill said, adding that the Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay will be assisting in interviews once the boat docks. 

It is the Coast Guard's policy, Hill said, not to release any further investigation during an active investigation. "We wouldn't be able to speculate on the cause of anything until the investigation is concluded," he said. 

Meanwhile, the Alversa family is making service arrangements. East Hampton Patch will post funeral information when it becomes available. 


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