Courtesy / Nickerson Family gofundme page
Arnold “Joe” Nickerson IV and his crew Christopher Pinkham perished at sea while out fishing last week.
Updated: January 27, 2020
Fishing industry mourns loss of two respected lobstermen
Courtesy / Nickerson Family gofundme page
U.S. Coast Guard rescue crews responded Jan. 23 to an emergency alert from fishing vessel Hayley Ann.
By Staff
Maine’s fishing industry is mourning the loss of captain Arnold Nickerson IV of Arundel and his crew Christopher Pinkham of Boothbay Harbor. The two died at sea off Portland while fishing aboard Nickerson’s lobster boat, the Hayley Ann, on Jan. 23.
Nickerson was known by most as Joe.
"I've known Joe for years, and he has been an incredibly valuable contributor for two terms on the [Department of Marine Resources] Advisory Council, especially with regard to the groundfish and elver fisheries with which he was most directly involved,” the department’s commissioner, Patrick Keliher, said in a news release.
“I chose him to serve on the council because of his perspective as an experienced, successful fisherman and his calm and constructive approach to problem solving,” Keliher continued. “He was committed to the proper management of Maine's marine resources, and was willing to give his time to help his fellow fishermen. I always valued his insights and ideas. He was a first-rate fisherman, and an excellent representative for Maine's fishing community.”
Nickerson was chairman of the board of the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association.
“It is hard to state the depth of the profound sadness that we have all felt at the news that Joe Nickerson and his crew Chris Pinkham perished at sea while out fishing,” Ben Martens, the association’s executive director, said in a press statement.
“Maine has lost a great man, father, husband, and grandfather, and I have personally lost a dear friend. Joe’s dedication to the fishing communities of Maine throughout his extensive fishing career, and his knowledge and expertise on the water, made him an invaluable leader for our organization. Our thoughts and prayers are with loved ones both men leave behind. We're all deeply saddened by the loss of both Chris and Joe and our heartfelt condolences go out to their friends and families.”
Nickerson, 60, was a fourth-generation lobsterman with over 50 years of experience on the water. He left behind a wife, children and grandchildren. Pinkham, 44, left behind his wife and two children.
Gofundme pages have been established to help with end-of-life expenses and the immediate financial needs of both families.
U.S. Coast Guard rescue crews responded Jan. 23 to an alert from an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB). The alert came from 45 miles southeast of Portland. The Coast Guard launched two helicopters and a fixed-wing plane from its air station on Cape Cod to search. It also directed its 87-foot coastal patrol boat Steelhead to the area.
Upon arriving at the scene, the Coast Guard plane crew saw the boat sinking and a life raft floating. About 20 minutes later, a rescue helicopter crew arrived and spotted two people in the water.
A rescue swimmer was lowered into the sea, who found the raft empty and Nickerson and Pinkham unresponsive. Another fishing vessel, the Ella Christine, arrived to assist in their recovery. The Coast Guard coordinated the transport to shore.
Nickerson was born in Saco, graduated from Kennebunk High School and attended diving school in California, where he received his commercial hard-hat scuba diving certification, according to his obituary.
In his early years, he spent time lobstering with his father out of Cape Porpoise before running a number of fishing vessels from Portland and Dutch Harbor, Alaska. When he and his wife started a family, he bought his own boat. His vessel, the Hayley Ann, was named for his daughter and his wife. Nickerson spent many years fishing off Cape Porpoise and Portland.
In 2019, he was elected as the chairman of the board of directors for the Maine Coast Fishermen's Association. He served as vice chair for the previous seven years and helped build the organization from a volunteer group of fishermen into a commercial fishing advocacy organization.
A celebration of life will be held for Nickerson on Feb. 1, 1 p.m., at the American Legion Hall on School Street in Kennebunkport, across street from the Kennebunkport Police Department. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Maine Coast Fisherman’s Association, Box 40, Brunswick, ME 04011 in memory of Arnold A. “Joe” Nickerson. To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, visit www.bibberfuneral.com.
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