Deceased crewman on the Lady Mary misidentified

CAPE MAY - The Coast Guard says a Wildwood man presumed dead in the March 24 sinking of the scallop boat Lady Mary did not board the boat and is alive. A man who replaced him on the crew is now listed among the victims.

William Torres never boarded the boat, but 23-year-old Jorge Ramos of Cape May did, Petty Officer Christopher McLaughlin said.

The confusion occurred because Ramos had been carrying Torres' identification, and the boat owner thought he was Torres, McLaughlin said. The Coast Guard has been trying to find Torres to talk to him.

A Philadelphia maritime lawyer representing the Ramos family called the discrepancy to the attention of authorities.

Six crewmen died and one survived when the boat sank off Cape May.