JONESPORT – What began as a search and rescue for the operator of a 31-foot lobster boat found early Monday morning near Jonesport evolved into an investigation of a suspected alcohol-fueled joyride.

The Lisa Marie, a fishing vessel owned by Larry Crowley of Beals, was found abandoned and badly damaged in Moosabec Reach around 3 a.m. Monday after a local fisherman alerted the Coast Guard.

Officials immediately contacted Crowley, who said he had not given anyone permission to use the vessel.

Fearing the boat’s operator had crashed and gone overboard, U.S. Coast Guard and Maine Marine Patrol officials spent most of the morning searching the nearby waters but did not find anything.

As the day progressed and more pieces came together, Sgt. Jay Carroll of the Maine Marine Patrol said the investigation shifted.

Carroll said late Monday afternoon that the Maine State Police were called in to help investigate the case, which is now believed to involve theft and criminal mischief.

“No one has been reported missing, so unless something changes we won’t resume our search, but someone was definitely in that boat,” he said. “We think someone just took it for a joyride. And it seems pretty likely that alcohol was involved.”

Investigators determined that the boat was removed from its mooring sometime late Sunday or early Monday. Whoever was at the helm of the boat crashed it into several other boats in the harbor and also into a dock.

“The damage is going to be significant,” Carroll said.

Carroll said the investigation is ongoing but he expected to spend Monday afternoon and today conducting interviews with witnesses.

“We do have a person of interest, but at this point we’re still trying to put the pieces together,” Carroll said.

Attempts by the BDN to reach Crowley on Monday were unsuccessful.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the Maine State Police at 255-8000 or Maine Marine Patrol at 667-3373.

erussell@bangordailynews.net

664-0524