Florence Crab Boat, June 30

The owners of a seafood restaurant on the Florence Bayfront were killed in a commercial fishing vessel accident near the mouth of the Siuslaw River Monday, June 29. According to reports, the bodies of Kyle and Amber Novelli, who operated Novellli’s Crab & Seafood, were recovered by a US Coast Guard helicopter crew about 7 a.m. They were found floating in the water unresponsive. One other crew member made it to the shoreline. The three were onboard the F/V Aquarius when they made a distress call about 1:50 a.m. after the vessel struck the South Jetty near the Siuslaw River Bar. It was taking on water. The vessel’s EPIRB also broadcast a distress signal. The USCG helicopter from Newport arrived at 2:50 a.m. Rescue crews from Station Siuslaw River and Station Umpqua River also responded along with Siuslaw Valley Fire & Rescue.