The close-knit community of Martha's Vineyard is in mourning after a beloved local fisherman and his wife tragically drowned when their boat capsized on New Year's Day.
A Tragic Discovery Off Edgartown
Roy Scheffer, 77, and Patricia Bergeron, 69, were found on Thursday on an overturned vessel roughly half a mile from the coast of Edgartown. According to the Cape & Islands District Attorney's Office, the married couple had been out scalloping in a 47-foot skiff when the incident occurred.
First responders discovered the pair unresponsive and not breathing. They were rushed to Martha's Vineyard Hospital where extensive lifesaving efforts were performed, but both sadly succumbed to their injuries.
Severe Weather and a Tangled Propeller
Investigators have determined the likely cause of the fatal accident. The District Attorney's office stated that a significant weather system suddenly swept across Martha's Vineyard, bringing high winds, sleet, and snow. This abruptly created dangerous sea conditions with swells reaching six feet and winds of 20 knots.
During this challenging weather, a polypropylene fishing line became entangled in the boat's propeller. The DA's office confirmed the boat had been secured overnight and investigators later observed the fouled mechanism. Officials have described the event as 'a horrible accident with no signs of foul play.'
Remembering Two Pillars of the Community
The DA's office noted that the island has lost two pillars of its community, a loss that will be deeply felt. Roy Scheffer was a lifelong commercial fisherman from Edgartown, having graduated from Island High School in 1966. He began scalloping that same year, became a fishing captain in 1975, and was one of the island's pioneering oyster farmers, passing his passion for the sea to his three sons.
Patricia Bergeron was a retired emergency room coordinator and the former president of the Portuguese-American Club of Martha's Vineyard for over two decades. She was the longtime chief organiser of the club's Feast of the Holy Ghost and was honoured with the Spirit of the Vineyard award in 2025 for her meaningful contributions. In 2023, she received the Heritage Day of Portugal award at the Massachusetts State House.
The statement from authorities concluded: 'Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the families and loved ones during this difficult time.'
