U.S. Coast Guard find debris field, unresponsive body during search off Massachusetts coast

BOSTON — The U.S. Coast Guard Northeast District is conducting a search and rescue response following an emergency position-indicating radio beacon activation from a fishing vessel 25 miles off the coast of Cape Ann, Friday morning. 

At approximately 6:50 a.m., Coast Guard watchstanders received an EPIRB alert registered to the 72-foot fishing vessel Lily Jean. The total number of people aboard the vessel is unknown. 

The Coast Guard attempted to contact the vessel with no response and issued an urgent marine information broadcast.  

Northeast District watchstanders directed the launch of an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Cape Cod and a small boat crew from Station Gloucester to search the area. Coast Guard Cutter Thunder Bay (WTGB-108) was also diverted to assist the search. 

The rescue crews located a debris field in the vicinity of the EPIRB activation. One unresponsive body was recovered from the water. A life raft associated with the vessel was found, but unoccupied.  

Governor Maura Healey issued the following statement regarding the sinking of Lily Jean fishing vessel of the coast of Gloucester: 

“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. 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.” 

Search efforts are ongoing.