Community
Family releases statement remembering 22-year-old, 7th person aboard missing fishing vessel off Massachusetts coast
Richmond, VA – The family of Jada Samitt (22), a Fisheries Observer and crew member who was aboard the missing Gloucester, Massachusetts fishing vessel “Lily Jean” today released a statement:
“It is with profound sadness and shattered hearts that we share the loss of our beloved Jada. She was vibrant and compassionate with an infectious smile and spirit. And, above all, she was brave and determined. She fiercely loved her friends and family. Today we are lost without her.
“Jada was on the Lily Jean that day because of her strong belief in her work, not only as an observer, but as someone who knew her important role as a crew member. She proved herself to be so on every trip, and conveyed to us how critical it was to protect the seas and fisheries. We could not be more proud of and grateful to her for it.
“Jada was from Virginia, but her roots ran deep here and she loved these waters.
“We are devastated by her loss and the pure tragedy of the unthinkable, unimaginable events that took her from us far too early.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and families of all aboard the Lily Jean and the greater Gloucester community.”
Samitt announced in July that she had begun a position at A.I.S. Inc. as a Fisheries Observer working in partnership with NOAA Fisheries after graduating in May from the University of Vermont with a B.S. in Natural Resources concentrated in Ecology.
