STEUBEN, Maine — Officials with multiple agencies will continue searching for a missing 18-year-old lobsterman near Petit Manan Point in Steuben on Tuesday.
Tylar Michaud of Steuben was reported missing around 5 p.m. Friday after he didn’t return home from a day of hauling and setting his traps near Petit Manan Point, according to an email by the Maine Marine Patrol.
"We appreciate the tremendous support from industry, the community, and our sister agencies who have assisted with this search,” Maine Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher said in a release Tuesday. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family as we work to bring closure to this terrible situation.”
The Maine Department of Marine Resources said additional assets from land, air, and water would be deployed as needed Tuesday.
Officials said a local fisherman found Michaud’s empty boat, Top Gun, Friday night in the same area. The Marine Patrol focused on the waters and shoreline near where Michaud's boat was found in its search efforts Sunday.
Marine Patrol officials told NEWS CENTER Maine on Sunday that more than two dozen local fishermen assisted with the search over the weekend.
"The first night when we got the call, there was probably 25 fisherman that went out and hauled through his gear to figure out where he may have been," Maine Marine Patrol Sgt. Sean Dow said.
According to Dow, local fisherman checked Michaud's traps to help determine his last known location. That, along with checking cell phone records helped narrow the search area to around Petit Manan Bar, near Petit Manan Point off the coast of Steuben.
Meanwhile, the Coast Guard suspended its search for Michaud after 40 hours according to a tweet and press release sent out Sunday afternoon.
“The decision to suspend a search and rescue case is one of the most difficult decisions I must make. Our thoughts remain with Tylar’s family, friends, and loved ones” Commander Megan Drewniak, Deputy Sector Commander of Sector Northern New England, said in a release.
Search crews ran into difficulties during their efforts Saturday due to fog in the area.
Search efforts resumed Monday, with crews from Maine Marine Patrol, Maine State Police and Marine Patrol Underwater Recovery, as well as an aerial search that would be conducted by the Marine Patrol, Army National Guard, and the Maine Forest Service.
According to a letter to families shared on social media, Michaud is a 2023 graduate of Sumner Memorial High School.
"During his time at Sumner, Tylar touched the lives of many within our close-knit community. He was not only an exceptional student but also a compassionate, kind-hearted individual who always went above and beyond to lend a helping hand to others. His smile and unwavering positivity brightened the lives of everyone he encountered, leaving a lasting impression on the hearts of teachers, staff, and fellow students alike," Charles M. Sumner Learning Campus principal Jackson Green wrote.
Mental health experts will be available for students, staff, and community members at the Sumner Learning Campus on Monday from 8 a.m. to 5 pm.