NEWBURYPORT, Mass. — A Newburyport memorial for the lives lost in two deadly fishing boat accidents has been removed and partly dismantled as part of a construction project along the water.
"Every time we want to honor him or just sit and reflect by the water we go to the memorial. So it's a very important place for us,” said Leslie Cone, mother of Captain Sean Cone.
Captain Sean Cone's mother said she was initially disappointed after finding out the Newburyport memorial - that pays tribute to her son and his crew member killed in 2007 - was off to the side, surrounded by weeds.
"They took off the bronze sculpture and took off one of the plaques and we didn't know what they were doing or where they were moving it or if there was plan in place,” said Ms. Cone.
But it turns out that it wasn't be permanently moved - due to a construction project, the town moved it. And that town has big plans for it.
"The monument wasn't an afterthought by any means. It's been in the plans for us since day one. Very important to myself, Newburyport and the fishing community and the lives lost,” said Paul Hogg, the Newburyport harbormaster.
The town is building a new harbormaster facility, so a crane had to be brought in to move the memorial and set it off the side. However, many people didn't know why it was moved or why it was dismantled, and started complaining.
"Obviously we never wanted any of the family members to be hurt or think in any way that we mistreated them or the families. Maybe a little better notification to everybody. Obviously looking back, we're on the news, looking back it hurt some people which was never the attention,” said Hogg.
When the memorial is in its new location, it will line up with the Maritime Museum so tourists can see it from.
"It should be much better and seen by people coming by and tourists. It is truly always going to be there in remembrance of the incident,” said Hogg.
A dedication is already planned for Sept. 5 as part of the 20 year anniversary of the Heather Lynn II tragedy. The families of both accidents are planning to attend.