Travelling 78 degrees on 10/22/14, tug boat Karen Jean transiting Block Island Sound en-route to Boston encountered deteriorating conditions. By 1500 hours sea conditions reached 4 feet, speed was reduced to 2-3 knots. At 1600 hours, speed was reduced to 1.5-2 knots due to wind and sea conditions. At approximately 1815 hours the vessel listed to starboard. All hands were summonsed to the wheel house, donned PDF’s and a mayday was issued. When the list worsened, the crew was forced to abandoned ship, secured the life raft and were picked up by FV Merit.