US Coast Guard Launches Search for Survivors After Commercial Fishing Boat Sinks Off Massachusetts Coast
A commercial fishing boat with seven people on board sank in Massachusetts waters on Friday morning, prompting an urgent search and rescue operation by the US Coast Guard. The 72-foot vessel, Lily Jean, was located about 25 miles off the coast of Cape Ann when a radio beacon alerted authorities to its distress signal at around 6:50 am.
USCG watchstanders attempted to contact the boat, but received no response, prompting an urgent marine information broadcast (UMIB) to be issued. A helicopter crew from Air Station Cape Cod and a small boat crew from Station Gloucester were dispatched to search the area, with the Coast Guard cutter Thunder Bay also being diverted to assist.
Rescue teams found debris near the location of the EPIRB signal, as well as a body and an unoccupied life raft. The Coast Guard confirmed that a person had been recovered from the scene, but their identity has not been released.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey expressed her condolences to the crew's families, stating that the state would provide full support during this difficult time. "I'm heartbroken over the devastating news out of Gloucester about the sinking of the Lily Jean and have offered our full support to Mayor Lundberg, Harbormaster Lucido and the Coast Guard," she wrote in a statement.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local fishing community, with Senator Bruce Tarr praising Captain Gus Sanfilippo as "a person that has a big smile, and he gives you a warm embrace when he sees you." Tarr described Sanfilippo as "very, very skilled at what he does" and expressed confidence in his ability to lead the vessel through challenging conditions.
The tragedy has highlighted the risks faced by commercial fishermen in Massachusetts waters. Gloucester, where the incident occurred, is a historic fishing port that has been at the forefront of the industry for generations.
As the search and rescue operation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. The US Coast Guard remains committed to finding any remaining survivors and recovering those who may have perished in the tragedy.
A commercial fishing boat with seven people on board sank in Massachusetts waters on Friday morning, prompting an urgent search and rescue operation by the US Coast Guard. The 72-foot vessel, Lily Jean, was located about 25 miles off the coast of Cape Ann when a radio beacon alerted authorities to its distress signal at around 6:50 am.
USCG watchstanders attempted to contact the boat, but received no response, prompting an urgent marine information broadcast (UMIB) to be issued. A helicopter crew from Air Station Cape Cod and a small boat crew from Station Gloucester were dispatched to search the area, with the Coast Guard cutter Thunder Bay also being diverted to assist.
Rescue teams found debris near the location of the EPIRB signal, as well as a body and an unoccupied life raft. The Coast Guard confirmed that a person had been recovered from the scene, but their identity has not been released.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey expressed her condolences to the crew's families, stating that the state would provide full support during this difficult time. "I'm heartbroken over the devastating news out of Gloucester about the sinking of the Lily Jean and have offered our full support to Mayor Lundberg, Harbormaster Lucido and the Coast Guard," she wrote in a statement.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local fishing community, with Senator Bruce Tarr praising Captain Gus Sanfilippo as "a person that has a big smile, and he gives you a warm embrace when he sees you." Tarr described Sanfilippo as "very, very skilled at what he does" and expressed confidence in his ability to lead the vessel through challenging conditions.
The tragedy has highlighted the risks faced by commercial fishermen in Massachusetts waters. Gloucester, where the incident occurred, is a historic fishing port that has been at the forefront of the industry for generations.
As the search and rescue operation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. The US Coast Guard remains committed to finding any remaining survivors and recovering those who may have perished in the tragedy.
this is so sad what happened 2 that crew 
hope they find the rest of them soon 
the fishing industry is super tough already & now this? 
can't imagine how tough it must be 4 Captain Gus & his team 
gotta give it up 2 him, sounds like he's a total pro 
but still, tragic situation 
, and I gotta give 'em props for stayin' vigilant.
Like, isn't it weird that he's bein' praised by Senator Tarr like that? I mean, don't get me wrong, he sounds like a nice guy and all, but shouldn't we be focusin' on the fact that his boat sank & people lost their lives? 
this is so sad what happened to the people on that boat it's like they just vanished into thin air no warning no nothing just one minute they're there next minute they're gone 
i can only imagine how hard it must be for their families and friends the sea can be cruel sometimes but still 7 lives lost it's too many 
Their families are going to be super sad 
Captain Sanfilippo sounds like an amazing captain 
He must have known something was wrong before the boat sank 
The fishing community in Gloucester is going through a tough time 
But seriously though, it's just so sad that people have to deal with these kinds of tragedies... and also kinda annoying that the search is taking so long... but I guess you can't rush something like this 
. And what about all the people out there who are actually good at fishing? Why aren't they helping or anything? 
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. But that doesn't make the tragedy any less heartbreaking 
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and they havent found everyone yet its so scary thinking about their families waitin for news if they ever get out of the water alive 
my heart goes out to them and their loved ones too captain sanfilippo sounds like a really nice guy but does that make it any better that his boat sank?! 72ft vessel thats not even big u think those ppl were prepared enough?? i mean we know its harsh but still can somethin be done to prevent these kinds of tragedies in the future? 
been saying it for years, maritime safety regulations need a serious overhaul. no way to prepare for something like this 
or maintenance issues? we'll never know now 
captain sanfilippo sounds like a great guy though, i hope his family is doing alright 