Tragedy in Cape Cod Bay: The Sinking of the Seahorse
Two Lives Lost as a Missing Fishing Vessel is Found Off Brewster’s Coast
On a quiet Sunday morning, Shawn Arsenault, a 64-year-old fisherman with decades of experience navigating the waters of Cape Cod, set out from Rock Harbor in Orleans, Massachusetts, aboard his 30-foot fishing vessel, the F/V Seahorse. Accompanying him was his 54-year-old girlfriend, Felicia Dailey of Eastham. The pair planned to go clamming near the Target Ship Wreck in Cape Cod Bay, a familiar fishing ground for Arsenault, who had spent much of his life working the seas from New Bedford to Provincetown. The Seahorse, a white-hulled boat adorned with a mermaid on its bow and its name painted in rough lettering on the stern, was recently serviced, equipped with a new radar and fish finder that Arsenault was eager to test. He told his brother, Paul Arsenault, he wouldn’t return until he had his 30-bag limit of clams, a task that typically took a single day. But when the boat failed to return by Tuesday, and Arsenault’s white Ford pickup remained untouched in the marina parking lot, concern rippled through the close-knit fishing community.
The U.S. Coast Guard, alongside Massachusetts Environmental Police and local authorities, launched an extensive search operation, scouring the waters of Cape Cod Bay and beyond. The search was complicated by early reports of unusual behavior: witnesses claimed Arsenault was seen throwing items overboard shortly after departing Rock Harbor. Coast Guard Commander Cliff Graham confirmed the reports but noted that the nature of the items—whether fishing equipment, electronics, or something else—remained unclear. Adding to the mystery, a GPS unit marked with the Seahorse’s name washed ashore on a nearby beach, discovered by a local resident, Sam Miller, and her father on Sunday morning. The pair left the device and a note on Arsenault’s truck, hoping to reunite it with its owner. When they returned the next day to find the truck and note untouched, they alerted the harbormaster, who contacted the Coast Guard, officially triggering the search.
Initial efforts focused on Cape Cod Bay, particularly between Brewster and Provincetown, where Arsenault was known to fish near Billingsgate Shoals. The Coast Guard deployed helicopters, cutters, and small boats, while environmental police loaded vessels in Sandwich to assist. A cellphone ping from Arsenault’s device, detected late Sunday afternoon, placed the Seahorse approximately two miles offshore of Chatham, some 15 miles from the Target Ship Wreck. This discrepancy puzzled investigators, as it suggested the boat may have ventured beyond its intended fishing grounds. However, officials cautioned that cellphone pings can be unreliable, and the couple might never have left the bay. Fog, thunderstorms, and a small craft advisory further hampered search efforts, reducing visibility and limiting the scope of operations.
As the search stretched into its fourth day, the mood in Orleans grew somber. Arsenault’s brother, Paul, spoke of his worry, describing Shawn as a seasoned fisherman who knew the waters intimately. The boat’s recent maintenance and new equipment suggested no mechanical issues, deepening the mystery of the Seahorse’s disappearance. Neighbors at Arsenault’s housing complex in Orleans expressed shock, with one resident, Melissa Phillips, noting the community’s outpouring of support through hugs and prayers. The empty slip at Rock Harbor marina, where the Seahorse was typically moored, stood as a stark reminder of the unfolding tragedy.
On Wednesday afternoon, just before 2:00 p.m., a recreational boater spotted the sunken Seahorse in 25 feet of water, approximately two miles off the coast of Brewster in Cape Cod Bay. The discovery, reported to Brewster Fire and EMS, prompted an immediate response from Massachusetts State Police divers and Coast Guard crews. Aerial footage captured the faint outline of the vessel beneath the surface, confirming the worst fears of those following the search. Divers recovered two bodies from the wreckage, and the Coast Guard later confirmed that next of kin had been notified, though the identities of the deceased were not publicly released. Autopsies were scheduled to determine the cause of death, with authorities stating that no foul play was suspected at the time.
The discovery brought a tragic end to a search that had gripped the Cape Cod community. The Coast Guard expressed condolences, with Commander Graham acknowledging the remarkable support from maritime response partners and local residents, whose efforts contributed to locating the vessel and providing closure for the families. The incident remained under investigation, with questions lingering about what led to the Seahorse’s sinking. Experts speculated on possible causes, noting the risks associated with quahog dragging, the type of fishing Arsenault was likely engaged in. Quahog draggers tow heavy steel cages along the ocean floor, and if one becomes entangled—particularly in dark or rough conditions—the boat can roll and sink rapidly. However, the weather on Sunday was not considered a significant factor, and the Coast Guard ruled out storm-related causes early in the investigation.
The loss of Arsenault and Dailey added to a somber history of maritime incidents off Cape Cod, a region where fishing has long been both a livelihood and a way of life. In 2020, the 82-foot fishing vessel Emmy Rose sank 20 miles northeast of Provincetown, leaving four crew members missing after debris and an empty life raft were found. That search was suspended after 38 hours, with no survivors located. More recently, in February 2025, a boat capsized in New York Harbor, killing three and leaving one person unaccounted for after a 30-hour search. These incidents underscore the inherent dangers of commercial fishing, where sudden mechanical failures, entanglements, or navigational errors can turn routine trips deadly. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health ranks fishing among the most hazardous occupations in the United States, with a fatality rate significantly higher than the national average for all industries.
For the Orleans community, the loss was deeply personal. Arsenault, described by his brother as a lifelong fisherman, was a familiar figure at Rock Harbor, where his enthusiasm for his newly upgraded boat had been infectious. Dailey, less known in fishing circles, was remembered as a supportive partner who joined Arsenault on his clamming trips. The couple’s disappearance prompted an outpouring of grief, with residents leaving notes and flowers near the marina. The GPS unit found on the beach, initially a hopeful clue, became a poignant symbol of the search’s futility, its discovery now tied to the moment the community began to fear the worst.
Investigators faced the challenge of piecing together the Seahorse’s final hours. The report of Arsenault throwing items overboard raised questions about his state of mind or the boat’s condition. Some speculated that he may have discarded outdated equipment, such as an old GPS unit, though the Coast Guard could not confirm this. Others wondered if the act signaled distress or an attempt to lighten the vessel’s load. The cellphone ping off Chatham, while intriguing, was deemed inconclusive due to the limitations of such data in pinpointing a vessel’s exact location. The boat’s recovery in shallow waters near Brewster suggested it hadn’t strayed far from its intended fishing grounds, yet the cause of its sinking remained elusive.
The Coast Guard’s swift response and coordination with local agencies highlighted the region’s robust maritime rescue capabilities. The involvement of recreational boaters in locating the wreck underscored the tight-knit nature of Cape Cod’s coastal communities, where residents often play a critical role in search efforts. The incident also prompted renewed discussions about safety measures for small fishing vessels. While the Seahorse was equipped with modern navigation tools, the absence of an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) signal—common in other Cape Cod sinkings—may have delayed the initial response. EPIRBs, which automatically transmit a vessel’s location in distress, are not universally required for smaller boats like the Seahorse, raising questions about whether stricter regulations could prevent future tragedies.
As the investigation continued, the focus shifted to supporting the families and honoring the memory of Arsenault and Dailey. Paul Arsenault, speaking before the boat was found, had expressed hope tempered by fear, praying for his brother’s safe return. His words, “You’re in my prayers, brother. I hope God takes care of you,” echoed the sentiments of many who knew the couple. The Coast Guard urged anyone with additional information to contact their Sector Southeastern New England command center, emphasizing the importance of even minor details in understanding the incident.
The sinking of the Seahorse served as a stark reminder of the sea’s unpredictability, even for those who know it best. Cape Cod’s waters, rich with history and sustenance, demand respect and vigilance. For every successful fishing trip, there are stories like this one—moments when the ocean claims what it will, leaving communities to mourn and reflect. The tragedy of Shawn Arsenault and Felicia Dailey, two lives lost in pursuit of a day’s work, joined the long ledger of maritime losses, their names etched into the collective memory of a region shaped by the sea. As Orleans residents gathered to share stories and offer comfort, the empty slip at Rock Harbor stood silent, a testament to the fragility of life on the water.
