On February 24th, 1989, a New Bedford scalloper named Michele and Annette began to sink roughly forty miles southeast of Beach Haven, New Jersey. The eight crewmembers sent out a distress signal and escaped via life raft as they waited for help to arrive. Before the Coast Guard could reach the survivors, a dragger named the Christian Alexis who was fishing in the same vicinity was able to rescue the entire crew as the Michele and Annette sunk to the watery depths. Though the vessel was lost, her story did not end there. In July of 2010, the New Bedford Port Society received a letter from Mademoiselle Chantal Bouldon of St. Gilles Croix de Vie, France. Apparently the life ring traveled across the Atlantic Ocean and washed ashore on the beach of Bretignolles sur Mer twelve years prior. She wanted to learn more of the Michele and Annette and Paul Swain of the New Bedford Port Society was able to research more information. Records show that the Michele and Annette was actually called the Pocahontas from 1951 through 1984 and sailed as a scalloper and dragger along the New Bedford area. Eventually the vessel changed ownership and was renamed Michele and Annette after the owner’s two daughters. Paul Swain was able to inform Mademoiselle Chantal Bouldon and in return she gifted the wandering life ring to the New Bedford Port Society where it resides today.
