Lobsterman Who Likely Drowned In Plymouth Bay Identified

PLYMOUTH, MA — Longtime commercial fisherman Michael Furlong died in what officials are calling a suspected drowning after he was found unresponsive in Plymouth Bay Sunday afternoon.

The Plymouth County District Attorney's Office identified Furlong, 65, as the man who was pulled from Plymouth Bay after he was found in the water about half a mile from his boat, Boston.com reported.

Furlong's boat frequents the area to check on lobster and crab traps, and on Sunday afternoon Plymouth Harbormaster Chad Hunter noticed it had been stationary for over an hour, WCVB reported.

When officials conducted a well-being check on the boat, they found no one on board, the TV station said.

Plymouth police notified Massachusetts State Police detectives about a possible fatal drowning at around 2:15 p.m. Sunday, The Patriot Ledger reported.

The U.S. Coast Guard responded, and a helicopter crew found a man — later identified as Furlong — in the water, the newspaper said.

Furlong, who was wearing fishing bibs but not a life jacket or other flotation device, was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Boston.com reported.

"It is with our deepest sympathies that we report long time Plymouth commercial lobsterman Michael Furlong has succumbed to his injuries after yesterday's incident," officials tweeted from the Plymouth Harbormaster Twitter account. "Our heartfelt sympathies go out to Mr. Furlong's family and many friends."

Furlong was a Plymouth native who lived in Kingston, according to The Patriot Ledger.

Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz said in a statement that the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of Furlong's death and no foul play is suspected, WCVB said.