US EditionCoast Guard suspends search for people missing from fishing vessel that sank off Massachusetts
Search covered 1,000 square miles with multiple assets before suspension; all seven crew members are presumed dead after the Lily Jean sank in harsh winter conditions.
- On Jan. 30, 2026, the U.S. Coast Guard launched a search after an emergency alert from the 72-foot fishing vessel Lily Jean about 25 miles off Cape Ann, finding debris, a body and an empty life raft before suspending efforts after covering about 1,000 square miles.
- With no mayday call, officials noted the vessel's beacon alerted rescuers, and Coast Guard's Sector Boston commander Jamie Frederick said frigid temperatures, a nor'easter threat, and 7- to 10-foot seas hampered searches.
- U.S. Coast Guard officials said Monday they identified the victims, including captain Accursio 'Gus' Sanfilippo, five crew members, and Jada Samitt, aboard the Lily Jean.
- The Coast Guard announced a district-level investigation and said a district-level investigating officer will collect evidence and testimony using formal procedures.
- Commercial fishing is often cited as one of the most dangerous jobs, and cold winter conditions complicate operations even for experienced sailors in Gloucester's fishing community.
118 Articles
118 Articles
Tragedy off America’s oldest seaport at Gloucester claims 7 lives as fishing boat sinks in frigid waters
BOSTON — The seven victims of a marine tragedy that has devastated a storied Massachusetts fishing town included a fifth-generation fisherman, a young federal fisheries observer on her first job at sea and a father-and-son crew duo who all died when their fishing boat, the Lily Jean, sank off America’s oldest seaport of Gloucester. The sinking is only the latest tragedy to befall Gloucester’s close-knit fishing community. The perils of the indus…
Lewiston Sun Journal
Portland Press HeraldNew England fishing tragedy claims 7 lives as boat sinks in frigid waters
The victims included a father and son and a young fisheries observer on her first job at sea.
Tragedy off America’s oldest seaport claims 7 lives as fishing boat sinks in frigid waters
The seven victims of a marine tragedy that has devastated a storied Massachusetts fishing town included a fifth-generation fisherman, a young federal fisheries observer on her first job at sea and a father-and-son crew duo who all died when their fishing boat, the Lily Jean, sank off America’s oldest seaport of Gloucester.
Peabody men lost in Gloucester sinking were the 'hearts of their families'
PEABODY — Peabody resident Sean Therrien was new to the crew of the fishing vessel Lily Jean when it went down about 25 miles off Gloucester Friday morning, taking the lives of all seven people aboard, including another Peabody resident,…
Stars and Stripes
The Seattle TimesCoast Guard identifies victims and begins investigating fishing boat’s sinking that killed 7
Coast Guard launches formal investigation into sinking of F/V Lily Jean
BOSTON, MA – From U.S. Coast Guard Northeast District: Rear Adm. Michael Platt, commander of the Northeast District, has launched a district-level formal investigation concerning the sinking of the commercial fishing vessel LILY JEAN (O.N. 580932) and subsequent loss of seven lives on Jan. 30, 2026. The search was suspended on Jan. 31 after all reasonable search efforts for the missing crewmembers had been exhausted. At 6:50 a.m., on Jan. 30,…
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