The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its search for survivors after a commercial fishing boat with seven people on board, including a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) observer, sank Friday in frigid waters 25 miles off the coast of Cape Ann in Massachusetts.
The announcement came after Coast Guard crews conducted coordinated search patterns covering roughly 1,047 square miles over 24 hours using multiple aircraft, cutters and small boats.
Search and rescue mission coordinators, on-scene commanders and the Coast Guard determined on Saturday all reasonable search efforts for the missing crewmembers had been exhausted.
“The decision to suspend the search was incredibly difficult,” Capt. Jamie Frederick, commander of Coast Guard Sector Boston, wrote in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family members and friends of the lost crew of the Lilly Jean, and with the entire Gloucester community during this heartbreaking time.”
Coast Guard watchstanders received an emergency position indicating a radio beacon (EPIRB) alert at about 6:50 a.m. registered to the 72-foot commercial fishing vessel Lily Jean.
USCG crews attempted to contact the boat, and after getting no response, issued an urgent marine information broadcast (UMIB), according to officials.
USCG Northeast District launched an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Cape Cod and a small boat crew from Station Gloucester to search the area.
The Coast Guard cutter Thunder Bay was also diverted to assist the search.
Rescue crews found debris near the location where the EPIRB was activated, along with a body and an unoccupied life raft that had been deployed.
The cause of the incident is under investigation by the Coast Guard Northeast District.
EIGHT PEOPLE RESCUED FROM SINKING BOAT AFTER RUNNING LOW ON FUEL IN ROUGH MIAMI WATERS
The City of Gloucester released a statement on social media Saturday, shortly before the search was suspended, with Mayor Paul Lundberg urging the community to come together.
“This is a tragic time for our entire community, and we are all feeling the impact of the sinking of the F/V Lily Jean,” Lundberg wrote. “Fishing is the heart and soul of Gloucester. Every day, fishermen risk their lives facing treacherous conditions to provide for their families in order to feed our collective family. We consider everyone who fishes from this port our family and that’s what makes times like this trying. But, it also gives us the strength to carry on and that’s what we will do in the days ahead.
“This is a tragedy we have experienced before, and one we will never get used to. However, in uncertainty, one thing remains certain. Gloucester is a strong and resilient community, and we will come together united in continued support of those reeling from the loss of this fishing vessel.”
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey described the news as “devastating.”
“I’m heartbroken over the devastating news out of Gloucester about the sinking of the Lily Jean,” Healey wrote in a statement. “I am praying for the crew, and my heart goes out to their loved ones and all Gloucester fishing families during this awful time.
“Fishermen and fishing vessels are core to the history, economy and culture of Gloucester and Cape Ann, and this tragedy is felt all across the state,” she added.
The boat’s captain, Gus Sanfilippo, and his crew were featured in a 2012 episode of the History Channel show “Nor’Easter Men,” highlighting a fishing expedition in dangerous weather conditions, according to a report from The Associated Press.
Sanfilippo, a fifth-generation commercial fisherman, angled for haddock, lobster and flounder, according to the report.
State Sen. Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, told the outlet he was friends with the missing captain.
“He’s a person that has a big smile, and he gives you a warm embrace when he sees you,” Tarr told the AP. “He is very, very skilled at what he does. … I’m going to make a prediction. Tonight, tomorrow and the days that follow, you’re going to see strength. The strength that has made this the most historic fishing port in the United States of America.”
Gloucester is a coastal city about 30 miles north of Boston, on Cape Ann.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
