Rescued Boater Expected in Boston Today as Mother Still Missing
— -- A rescued boater who spent eight days adrift at sea after his boat sank is expected to arrive in Boston today to be reunited with friends and family, even as his mother remained missing.
Nathan Carman, 22, and his 54-year-old mother Linda Carman were reported missing on Sept. 18 after departing for a fishing trip from Rhode Island and not returning.
Nathan was found this Sunday by a passing freighter floating in a life raft 100 miles from the coast of Martha's Vineyard. The freighter picked him up and was expected to arrive at port on Tuesday in Boston.
The Coast Guard called off the search for the pair on Friday after spending six days canvassing an area of ocean bigger than the state of Georgia.
Loved ones prayed for the safe return of Linda even as the Coast Guard warned that the chances of her being found alive at this point are "minimal.”
“We are hopeful. The family is hopeful,” family friend Sharon Hartstein told WTNH, a local ABC affiliate. “I was thrilled that they found him and then I was devastated that Linda wasn’t with him.”
Concerned friends and neighbors decorated Linda's house in Middletown, Connecticut with yellow ribbons and signs while awaiting news on her whereabouts.
"It was just a way to share hope," Hartstein said. "One prayer was answered. We're waiting on the second one at this point."
"I want to know where she is and what happened," Hartstein added. "I can't wait until he comes in so questions can be answered."
At a press conference on Monday, the Coast Guard relayed what Nathan had told them about the incident. “When the boat started taking on water, he got his life raft,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicole Groll. “He went looking for his mom to get into the life raft and he could not find her.”
Authorities will be interviewing Nathan after he arrives in Boston.
