26-year-old fisherman, father of 1-year-old, dies from injuries sustained off the coast of Massachusetts

A young man working on a vessel and just starting a family didn’t make it home to that family.

According to Coast Guard Northeast, the U.S. Coast Guard recovered two crewmembers with life-threatening injuries aboard the fishing vessel 25 TO LIFE, located approximately 25 nautical miles east of Nahant, Massachusetts, on Friday, transferring them to emergency medical services for further care.

At 3:55 p.m., Sector Boston received a VHF Channel 16 distress call reporting that a snapped rope had struck two crewmembers. One sustained a concussion and possible broken ribs, while the other had a suspected broken neck and was intermittently unresponsive. The Coast Guard diverted helicopter CG6023 from Air Station Cape Cod and launched small boats from Stations Gloucester and Point Allerton.

At 5:08 p.m., Station Point Allerton’s 45-foot response boat embarked both crewmembers and delivered them to a Gloucester pier and transferred to EMS to Beverly Hospital. 

The individual who sustained the broken neck was pronounced deceased upon arrival by EMS. 

According to those who knew him, the deceased is a 26-year-old father of a one-year-old.

Representative Tiffany Strout of Maine gave condolences to the victim’s family on Saturday.

“Today we awake to learn the sad news of another tragedy affecting the DownEast fishing and surrounding community. Jaxson, only 26 years old, a husband, a dad, hard worker, passionate hunter and a friend to many was doing what he had done many times before, just trying to earn an honest living to support his family. Now his family can use all the support as they try to move forward with the loss of their loved one.

“Jamie, about the same age, also a father, hard worker and friend to many, was also doing an honest day’s work, alongside Jaxson, needs all the support for him and his family as he tries to recover from his injuries as he and the captain try to move forward after the events of yesterday.

“A reminder that life is short, things can change in an instant and sometime accidents just happen, even with the most caution and readiness. Please keep the fishermen’s families in your thoughts and give your family and friends big hugs as I am sending big hugs to the families.”