Missing Point Pleasant Fishermen 'Lost At Sea,' Family Says

The family of a fisherman and his partner who have been missing says they are now "lost at sea," his family said.

Milene Oliveira, who is Paul Matos's sister, posted on Facebook her family "wants to thank everyone who reached out to us, who prayed for my brother Paul and his crew member Dennis. We also want to thank the Coast Guard for everything."

"We had a meeting this morning with Coast Guard and at this time they have suspended the search.
Unfortunately my brother and Dennis are presumed lost at sea."

"Again thank you everyone, your words of comfort mean everything to us."

She also posted pictures of Matos as a child and as an adult (see below).

There was no sign Friday of the Queen Anne's Revenge - a missing 46-foot fishing boat or the vessel's two crew members, according to a Coast Guard spokesman.

Spokesman Seth Thomas said the Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads in Portsmouth, Virginia received an emergency position-indicating radio beacon alert (EPIRB) at 1:20 a.m. roughly 40 miles off the coast of Barnegat.

Fishermen also notified the Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay boat of a distress call shortly after the EPIRB alert, according to a Coast Guard release. An MH-65 Dolphin search and rescue helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City was launched, and located the EPIRB, Johnson said.

The two crew members are Matos, 30, and Dennis R. Smalling, according to authorities.

A Good Samaritan fishing boat crew was also aiding in the search for possible debris. Any mariners who discover items related to Queen Ann's Revenge are asked to contact Sector Delaware Bay watchstanders at 215-271-4940.

This is a developing story. Patch will post more information as soon as it's available.

Photo: Courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard