In brief
A search and rescue operation is underway for the 'Lily Jean', a commercial fishing vessel that went missing about 25 miles off Cape Ann, Massachusetts. The vessel's crew of seven is unaccounted for, as debris and one unresponsive body were found by the Coast Guard. The community is in mourning as they await further news amidst the challenging winter weather conditions.
BOSTON (AP) — A fishing vessel that went missing off the coast of Massachusetts was carrying a crew of seven people, confirmed Republican State Senator Bruce Tarr.The U.S. Coast Guard launched an extensive search and rescue mission early Friday after receiving an emergency alert from the 72-foot 'Lily Jean', which is believed to have been operating approximately 25 miles off Cape Ann. As a result of their efforts, a debris field was located alongside an unresponsive body in the water. The Coast Guard has indicated that they will remain in search and rescue mode while also exploring the incident.The 'Lily Jean' and its captain, Gus Sanfilippo, were previously featured in a 2012 episode of the History Channel show “Nor’Easter Men,” which showcased the risks and hardships faced by commercial fishermen. Sanfilippo, a fifth-generation fisherman from Gloucester, Massachusetts, is known for handling dangerous conditions and extended trips at sea to harvest haddock, lobster, and flounder.Coast Guard officials initiated their search after attempts to contact the vessel were unsuccessful. They deployed an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, small boat crews, and the Coast Guard Cutter Thunder Bay to assist in the operations.The search is taking place off Gloucester, a city recognized as America’s oldest working seaport and a community deeply woven with the fishing industry for over 400 years. Gloucester has a history marked by maritime tragedies, including the well-known sinking of the FV Andrea Gail in 1991, which became the basis of the book and movie “The Perfect Storm.”Vito Giacalone, president of the Gloucester Fishing Community Preservation Fund, expressed his sorrow over the disappearance, recalling Sanfilippo as a dedicated and hardworking member of the fishing community. In light of current conditions, the risks associated with deep-sea fishing are heightened, especially during winter storms.“We know that commercial fishing can be one of the planet's most dangerous professions,” stated Giacalone. “The ocean can turn quickly.”As the search continues amid the precarious winter weather, Gloucester Council President Tony Gross conveyed the emotional toll on local families and the entire community. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has also expressed her heartbreak over the incident, highlighting the significance of fishermen and their boats to the cultural identity of Gloucester and Cape Ann.At the time of the accident, weather reports indicated wind speeds ranged near 27 mph with wave heights around four feet, along with frigid temperatures.Conditions at sea have been described as 'fishable' but not ideal, raising concerns about ice accumulation affecting vessel stability. Fishermen’s families are enduring an emotional ordeal, caught between hope and despair as they await any further updates on the crews of the 'Lily Jean'.
