The search for survivors from a commercial fishing vessel that sank off the coast of Massachusetts has been suspended, the US Coast Guard confirmed on Saturday. The 72-foot Lily Jean, which departed from Gloucester, Massachusetts, sent an emergency alert early Friday about 25 miles off Cape Ann. A debris field, a body, and an empty life raft were discovered near the alert location.
Coast Guard crews covered approximately 1,000 square miles over 24 hours using multiple aircraft, cutters, and small boats. However, after consultation with search-and-rescue coordinators, officials determined that all reasonable search efforts had been exhausted. No mayday call was received from the Lily Jean; the Coast Guard was alerted by the vessel's emergency beacon.
The Lily Jean was owned by Gus Sanfilippo, a fifth-generation commercial fisherman from Gloucester, the oldest fishing port in the United States. Sanfilippo and his crew were featured in a 2012 episode of the History Channel show Nor’Easter Men. State Senator Bruce Tarr, a close friend of Sanfilippo, expressed his grief, describing the captain as a skilled and warm individual.
At the time of the alert, the National Weather Service reported wind speeds of around 27 mph, waves of about 4 feet, and water temperatures near 39°F (4°C). Commercial fishing is considered one of the most dangerous jobs, with winter conditions adding significant risk. The tragedy has deeply affected the Gloucester community, which has a long history of maritime losses, including the 1991 sinking of the FV Andrea Gail, which inspired The Perfect Storm.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey expressed her heartbreak over the incident, stating that fishermen and fishing vessels are central to the history, economy, and culture of Gloucester and Cape Ann. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration confirmed that a fishery observer was aboard the vessel at the time of the sinking.
