The distress began early Friday morning, when the U.S. Coast Guard received an emergency beacon activation signal from the F/V LILY JEAN, a 72-foot groundfish trawler based out of Gloucester. The vessel had gone down approximately 25 miles off the coast of Cape Ann, about 40 miles northeast of Boston. Repeated attempts to reach the boat by radio went unanswered.
The F/V LILY JEAN was captained by Accursio “Gus” Sanfilippo, a fifth-generation Gloucester fisherman. The crew included Paul Beal Sr. and his son Paul Beal Jr., John Paul Rousanidis, Freeman Short, and Sean Therrien. Also aboard was Jada Samitt, a 22-year-old NOAA fisheries observer from Virginia, assigned to collect data on the vessel’s catch.
During the search, U.S. Coast Guard crews discovered a debris field at the beacon site, recovered one body, and found the vessel’s deployed but empty life raft. The operation spanned roughly 1,047 square miles and involved multiple aircrafts, cutters, and smaller boats. Air temperatures remained near 6 degrees Fahrenheit, with wind chills falling below zero and water temperatures measuring approximately 40 degrees.
“The decision to suspend the search was incredibly difficult. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family members and friends of the lost crew of the Lily Jean, and with the entire Gloucester community during this heartbreaking time,” said Capt. Jamie Frederick, commander of Coast Guard Sector Boston.
The tragedy has shaken Gloucester to its core. The city is America’s oldest fishing port, a place where the sea has shaped daily life for generations. About 1,000 people gathered Sunday evening at St. Ann’s Church for a vigil.
“There were seven souls, but everyone knows each other … and the loss of one person is felt by everyone,” said Jack Clarke, Gloucester’s chief administrative officer.
State Sen. Bruce Tarr, who grew up alongside Captain Sanfilippo, struggled to compose himself as he read the names of the deceased aloud at a Monday briefing. “This was a good vessel, this was a good skipper, who was skilled and wise and spirited,” he said. “It makes it really hard to fathom when you lose a boat 22 miles from shore under those circumstances.”
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey also made a statement. “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,” she said. “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.”
The U.S. Coast Guard Northeast District has launched a formal, district-level investigation into the sinking, a process reserved for incidents of significant regional importance or those that could expose broader safety concerns about a class of vessel or area of operation.
Lt. Cmdr. Brett Igo, the district investigation oversight coordinator, will lead the inquiry. He will be assisted by a team that includes an assistant investigating officer, a recorder, a commercial fishing vessel safety expert, legal counsel, and a technical expert, all drawn from the U.S. Coast Guard. The National Transportation Safety Board will also participate in the investigation.
The team will gather evidence and testimony under formal rules and procedures. Depending on what they find, the investigation may be escalated to a Marine Board of Investigation for deeper review.
It is important to note that the purpose of a U.S. Coast Guard investigation is not to assign civil or criminal blame. The goal, the agency says, is to identify changes that could improve the safety of life and property at sea. The process is expected to take several months, and officials say additional details will be released as the work progresses.
We extend our sincere condolences to all the families and friends during this time of profound loss. For families navigating the aftermath of a maritime tragedy, our experienced maritime attorneys are available to answer any questions and provide guidance.