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The U.S. Coast Guard is in a race against time as they scour the waters off Massachusetts in search of survivors from a sunken commercial fishing vessel. The boat, which had seven individuals onboard, including an observer from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), went down approximately 25 miles off the coast of Cape Ann.
The urgent search began early Friday morning when the Coast Guard received a distress signal from an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) linked to the 72-foot fishing boat, Lily Jean. The alert came through at around 6:50 a.m. local time, prompting swift action from rescue teams.
Efforts to establish communication with the Lily Jean were unsuccessful, leading officials to broadcast an urgent marine information alert (UMIB) in hopes of gathering any additional assistance or information from nearby vessels.
In response to the emergency, the Coast Guard Northeast District quickly deployed a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Cape Cod, alongside a small boat crew from Station Gloucester, to conduct a thorough search of the area.
The deployed helicopter, an MH-60 Jayhawk from Cape Cod’s Air Station, is tirelessly patrolling the waters near Cape Ann as part of the ongoing mission to locate any possible survivors from the ill-fated fishing expedition.
The Coast Guard Cutter Thunder Bay was also diverted to assist the search.Â
Rescue crews found debris near the location where the EPIRB was activated, along with a body and an unoccupied life raft.
The Coast Guard said crews will continue with its search and rescue response.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said the state has offered its full support.
“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,” 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.
Commercial fishing boats docked in Gloucester Harbor, Mass. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)
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.Â
Sanfilippo, a fifth-generation commercial fisherman, angled for haddock, lobster and flounder, according to the report.
Sen. Bruce Tarr, R-Gloucester, told the outlet he was friends with the missing captain.
It is unclear if there are any survivors. (Google Maps)
“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, Massachusetts, is a coastal city about 30 miles north of Boston, on Cape Ann.