Coast Guard Searches for Survivors After Fishing Vessel Sinks Off Massachusetts Coast
GLOUCESTER, Mass. — The U.S. Coast Guard is conducting an urgent search and rescue operation after the commercial fishing vessel Lily Jean sank approximately 25 miles off Cape Ann early Friday morning. The 72-foot vessel was reported to have seven people on board, including a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) observer, when an emergency position indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) alert was received around 6:50 a.m.
Coast Guard watchstanders immediately attempted to establish contact with the vessel but received no response. Following protocol, the Coast Guard issued an urgent marine information broadcast (UMIB) to alert mariners in the area. The USCG Northeast District swiftly deployed an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Air Station Cape Cod and a small boat crew from Station Gloucester to conduct a thorough search of the waters.
As of the latest updates, one body has been recovered, while the search for the remaining six individuals, including the NOAA observer, remains ongoing. The Coast Guard cutter Thunder has also joined the operation, expanding the search perimeter. The sinking of the Lily Jean has sent shockwaves through the local fishing community, which often faces perilous conditions in the North Atlantic.
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey addressed the incident, underscoring the gravity of the situation and expressing support for the families of those missing. The Coast Guard continues to coordinate closely with NOAA and other agencies to expedite rescue efforts.
The NOAA observer aboard the Lily Jean was part of a federal program that places scientists on commercial fishing vessels to collect data critical for sustainable fisheries management. The loss of life and the ongoing search highlight the inherent risks faced by those working at sea.
The Coast Guard’s swift response aligns with their mission to protect life and property at sea, as outlined on the U.S. Coast Guard official site. The deployment of the MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, known for its range and rescue capabilities, demonstrates the agency’s commitment to exhaustive search and rescue operations.
Weather conditions at the time were reported as challenging, with cold temperatures and rough seas complicating the rescue efforts. The Coast Guard continues to monitor the situation closely and has called for any vessels in the vicinity to assist or report sightings.
Families and community members have gathered in Gloucester, anxiously awaiting news. The incident serves as a somber reminder of the dangers faced by commercial fishermen and federal observers who work to balance economic livelihoods with environmental stewardship.
For ongoing updates, the public is encouraged to follow official communications from the Massachusetts Coast Guard and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Coast Guard has also requested that mariners maintain vigilance and report any relevant information to aid in the search.
This tragedy underscores the critical importance of maritime safety protocols and the heroic efforts of rescue personnel who operate under extreme conditions to save lives.
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