Michael Roberts

A vessel manager for Cape Fisheries described Michael Roberts, 49, of Fairhaven, as a "quiet, easygoing man." His daughter Breanne Perez remembered him as "a great dad with the biggest heart." In addition to Mrs. Perez and her husband, Kenny, he is survived by his wife, Tammy,; another daughter, Kalie; sons Ryan and Kevin; and a granddaughter, Aaliyah Perez.

FAIRHAVEN — Michael J. Roberts, 49, of Fairhaven, passed away unexpectedly when the fishing vessel he was on board sank Monday, December 4, 2017. He was the beloved husband of Tammy (Oliveira) Roberts.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, a son of the late Mary (Deallaume) Roberts and stepfather Bob Roberts and Magne Georgsen, he lived most of his life in this area.

Mr. Roberts worked as a fisherman and also as a culinary chef. When he was younger, he played baseball and football. Mike was an avid sports fan and rooted for the Dallas Cowboys, Yankees, Bruins and Celtics. He enjoyed playing the lottery, rock ‘n’ roll music, and going to concerts.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by four children, Breanne Perez, Ryan Pereira, Kalie Brum, and Kevin Brum, Jr.; a granddaughter and “best friend” with whom he shared a special bond, Aaliyah Marie Pereira; two brothers, Jan Georgsen of Norway and Eddie Georgsen of NY; a sister, Mary Reinhardt of New Bedford; and several nieces and nephews.

His memorial service will be held Saturday, December 30, 2017 at 3:30PM at the Seamen’s Bethel, 15 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford. Burial will be private.

Misty Blue, a surf clam harvester, left Fairhaven for Nantucket Shoals at 9 p.m. on Saturday, December 2, 2017, with four men on board: Captain Eric Arabian, First Mate Jonathan Saraiva, and crew members Michael Roberts and Colby McMullen, At 3 p.m. on Monday, December 4, the ship reported that all was going well, but at 6:10 the Coast Guard received a distress call. Nearby fishing vessels rushed to the scene.

According to a statement by Atlantic Cape Fisheries, "the captain of the F/V Enterprise, which was working nearby, noticed the lights of the F/V Misty Blue going out, and steamed over to investigate. The F/V Enterprise was able to rescue from the water the F/V Misty Blue's captain, Eric Arabian, age 44, and one of the vessel's crewmen, Colby McMullen, age 22."

The Enterprise and two other fishing vessels, the Marriette and the Lauren, began searching for the missing crew members, and the vessel's life raft was found empty. The Coast Guard sent a motor life boat, an Ocean Sentry helicopter, and the cutters Albacore, Steelhead, and Tybee. They were joined by boats from the Barnstable County Sheriff's Office and the Dennis Fire Department. The search for survivors was discontinued at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, December 5.

The vessel was located by sonar in 80-90 feet of water, 10 miles off Nantucket.

Two weeks after the sinking, on December 18, state police divers recovered the bodies of Michael Roberts and Jonathan Saraiva from the Misty Blue.